Madonna Margaret (Guy) Jackson

Madonna “Donna” Jackson

North Sydney

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of Madonna (Guy) Jackson, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, niece and friend, on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, five days shy of her 62nd birthday.

Born in North Sydney, she was a daughter of Leonard “Sonny” Guy and the late Joan Marguerite (Bennett) Guy.

Madonna was a devoted and loving wife to Lewis Jackson, her husband of 28 years, and a wonderful mother to her adored son Kyle Jackson - her pride and joy, and greatest gift.  She was a faithful and devout member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, where she served as a hospitality minister and taught Sunday School.

In her early years, Donna fell in love with dancing. She spent years on her toes and tapping away at the Doris MacDonald Dance Academy. At family events, weddings and special gatherings, she was one of the first to hit the dance floor. She put “the jazz” in jazz hands. She loved to laugh and her laughter was contagious. 

She left the world on Boxing Day, a day when she would always host a “family feast” that included her favourite foods, a funny gift exchange, a Scottish square-set and lots of dancing. It was a Christmas tradition at the Jackson home for family and friends. 

East Coast musicians were among her favourites. She loved attending Songwriters’ Circles and local concerts.

One of her favourite summer escapes was to Groves Point Beach. She also enjoyed swimming at the Jackson family cabin in Georges River and accompanying Lew, Kyle and friends on their boat, cruising the Bras d’Or Lakes. She liked cross-country skiing, daily walks and visits with family and friends.

She was a top student in Grade 11 at St. Joseph High School, North Sydney in 1976 and continued her academic accomplishments as a part of the first graduating class of Memorial Composite High School, Sydney Mines in 1977.  She attended Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in Halifax, where she graduated as a dental assistant - working many years with Dr. Leonard Fifield and Dr. Ronald Chafe in Sydney, retiring in 2013. She was a favourite of her dental patients, and while helping to perfect their smiles, she made them smile. After retirement, she devoted her life to her family, especially her Mom and Dad.

Madonna is survived by her dear father, Leonard “Sonny” Guy, North Sydney; her loving husband, Lewis Jackson, North Sydney; her son, Kyle (Lauren Douglas) Jackson, Halifax;  her sisters, Ann Marie (Sandy) MacGillivary, North Sydney; Nancy (David) Hoddinott, Halifax; Colleen (Paul) Acker, Bedford; and Carolyn (Brian) Aker, Sydney Mines; her brothers, Leonard Jr. “Lennie” (Darlene) Guy, Westmount; Gregory (Calvin Blades) Guy, Bedford; Stephen (Lori) Guy, Halifax; sister-in-law Peggy (Lee) Barnes, Cornwall, PEI; 11 nieces and nephews, Cheryl, Michael, Katie, Melissa, Alicia, Jenna, Cory, Adam, Josh, Liam and Olivia, and two great-nephews Sebastian and Leonardo. 

She was predeceased by her beloved mother, Joan Guy, who passed away on November 1, 2020, father and mother-in-law Lewis and Mabel Jackson, stepfather-in-law Jerry Gouthro.

The family would like to thank oncologists Dr. Ronald MacCormick, Dr. James Bentley and their teams, Dr. Lola Obadan, Dr. Deborah Zwicker, the nurses and staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Victoria General Hospital for their care and compassion.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. There will be no visitation. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021, at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating.  Masks are mandatory and social distancing must be followed when attending the funeral mass, limited seating is available at the church. 

Burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Church Improvement Fund, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

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