Flora Elizabeth Jackson, formerly of New Philadelphia, Ohio, passed away in the early morning of July 12th, 2025, surrounded by her son and daughter, at her home in Naples, Florida.

She is survived by her son, Earl “Jack” Jackson, of Naples, FL; her daughter, Elizabeth Lynn Jackson of Cabin John, MD; her grandsons, Cecil and Cedric, Squadron Commanders with the Royal Air Force, currently stationed in England, and her grandsons David and Adam with Doctors Without Borders, currently in Eritrea and Ethiopia and her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Beans, and MaryEllen Beans, cousins Judi Lawson and Richard Albaugh, nieces and nephews: Carol Bichsel (and Mark Pruest), Lona (and Dave) Roll, Ronnie (and Cindy) Beans, Bill (and Vicki) Beans, Brian (and Peb)Beans, Chris Beans, and many extended family members and dear friends.

Flora was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn Ellsworth Jackson, her parents, George Hamilton Beans and Martha Elizabeth Beans, as well as her sister, Evelyn Marie Bichsel, brother-in-law, William Jennings Bichsel, her brother George Douglas Beans, sister-in-law, Ruby Louise Beans, niece Karen Louise Beans, brother Roy Dean Beans, nephew Terry Beans, and brother Robert Beans.

Retired from Fairfax County Public Schools, at Oakview Elementary, as an award-winning and much sought after educator written about in the book, “Search the Web,” highlighting her work with third graders, teaching them to create their own web page.

Throughout her life, Flora loved to travel and lived throughout the world. She traveled extensively throughout America, Europe, and elsewhere, including Stuttgardt, Weinheim Germany; Switzerland, Austria, London, Cambridge, England; Turkey; Greece; Besonçon, Rochejean, Leon, and Paris, France; Sardinia, Florence, & Rome, Italy; Montreal and Niagara Falls, Canada; to mention some of her favorite recurring vacation spots.

Flora played the French Horn and adored the piano, like her father. She favored specific pieces by Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Ravel, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Aaron Copeland, among others. Flora was invited to sing, “Summer Breeze,” while playing the guitar on the radio. Flora was a graceful and gifted dancer.

Very athletically inclined, Flora was an Equestrian who loved to ride in the summer, was fond of traversing zip lines, and she also rode an elephant on a couple of jaunts. After teaching school, Flora spent most afternoons playing tennis with her fellow teacher and friend, Lynn Black. On the weekends, in the summer, Flora and her husband would go sailing on the Eastern Shore with Lynn and Bill Black.

Flora had an avid interest in the Arts, not only sculpting, drawing and painting, herself, but she was a member of the Beethoven Society, which was founded by Eileen Fisher. Flora and her husband Lynn were contributing members at the Kennedy Center. Throughout their grade school, Flora would pick up her children, early, every Friday to take them to the Smithsonian Institution’s collections, as well as to the Phillips collection, the Hirshhorn, and other venues of artistic appreciation. She also took her children on tours of the White House, the Senate, the Congress, and other institutions like the National Archives to ensure they had a firm grasp of American history and were aware of the intricacies of our political system. At days end, the ritual was that Flora and her children would go to the National Aquarium, in the basement of the Department of Commerce, where her husband, Lynn, would join them to go out to dinner.

Flora attended many Shakespearean plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Lansberg Theatre, and at the Kennedy Center. Flora was also a fan of the Opera, good plays, and a wide variety of musical performances, from all over the world. She particularly enjoyed South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, France’s François Hardy, Brazil’s Tom (Antônio Carlos) Jobim & Joao Gilberto, America’s Lady Gaga, and more.

Flora actively entertained, giving lavish dinners, hosting performance art -where guests were given a character and had to stay in character throughout the evening, including murder mystery parties. Some of the gatherings she hosted highlighted, budding, opera stars, and other performers in the Arts.

As family and friends could attest, like Soon Karcher, as well as Karen and Ian Fosler, Flora was a gifted story teller and held her audience’s attention with her performances playing charades, a requisite activity after Thanksgiving dinner.

Flora Jackson was a much beloved and respected woman, to whom many turned for counsel, help, and comfort. She was steady as a rock and constant in all aspects of her life. She is not only remembered, but lives on, even now, in each of us whose lives she touched. Like her mother, Martha, Flora believed and guided her life’s actions and approach with equity. All children are loved equally, and there are always three sides to every story. The third side is the truth, which lies somewhere between the two competing perspectives. Always do your research and know the allegiances of the authors of said reports.

The family will greet guests on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, at 217 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663. A memorial service celebrating Flora’s life will begin at 11:00 AM with Reverend Joseph Svencara officiating. Following the service, burial will take place in the Evergreen Burial Park. The New Philadelphia VFW will render military honors of Lynn E. Jackson’s service in the Korean War and his service in his interrogation at Auschwitz of WWII War Criminals. The family will host a gathering in the Geib Family Center, following the committal service.

Additional Celebration of Life ceremonies will be held, in the future, at Georgetown Presbyterian Church, in Washington DC, as well as at St. John’s Episcopal in Naples Florida with Father Joe officiating.

God Bless and Keep you, Mother!

**LOVINGLY PREPARED BY FLORA'S FAMILY**