Myra Jackson

Myra Lee (Barnes) Jackson (November 24, 1940 – October 29, 2014)
It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that Myra Jackson’s family announces her passing on October 29 in Boulder, Colorado. She leaves behind the love of her family and many friends along with a strong legacy of service to the University of Colorado-Boulder’s College of Music.
Myra’s family and many friends celebrate her life with gratitude for shared holidays, birthdays, numerous special times, and memorable trips. Myra has cheered on her young grandsons Cole Borrego, Jackson and Carson Dowis during their various sports games sometimes shivering along with other family members. Memorable trips in America, Europe, and Thailand, along with a brief time living in England, top the travel list.
Born to Velma and Arcie Barnes on November 24, 1940 in Gainesville Texas, neighbor city to her name sake, Myra, she soon became the mascot for her father’s football team at a very young age. When her parents moved to Bridgeport, Texas, Myra took up the baton becoming a twirler, again at her father’s high school. She’d laughingly say Bridgeport had neither a bridge nor port.
When it was time for college, Myra headed to Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth on an academic scholarship. At TWU, she met Dennis Jackson to whom she was married for 40 years. Their daughters, Michele Dowis and Gwen Borrego., were born in Barbourville, Kentucky during the family’s time there at Union College.
Before the Jackson family moved to Boulder in 1971, intervening years were spent in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan, Kentucky at Union College and in Lincoln at Nebraska Wesleyan. Prior to beginning her 30-year career at the College of Music, Myra typed many doctoral dissertations and books for CU professors.
Myra became the cheerful voice answering “Concerts” for those calling the College of Music. Countless students and staff members worked with Myra in the annual development of over 350 concert and recital programs. Myra patiently listened to students pleading their case for a needed room, date and time for their recitals. Sometimes it worked; others times it didn’t.
Through the years, students, faculty and staff became part of Myra’s extended family. Several former and current graduate students and a staff member gave her a surprise gift of a House Concert with vocal and clarinet selections accompanied by the cello. Her smile throughout the concert spoke of her joy and appreciation for this musical gift.
Myra was honored as Employee of the Year in 1996 for the University of Colorado Boulder Academic Affairs Divisions. She was again recognized for her 30 years of service to the University in a Chancellor hosted ceremony.
In addition to daughters Michele and Gwen, Myra is survived by grandsons Jackson and Carson Dowis, Cole Borrego and son-in-law Ben Borrego and cousin, Don Young.
Myra is preceded in death by her parents Velma and Arcie Barnes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026-9928 or the CU Foundation with a notation for the Music Scholarship Fund, 1800 Grant Street, Suite 725, Denver, CO 80203.