Wanda Jackson

Wanda N. Jackson took her last breath Saturday, April 6, 2024, in her home surrounded by her four daughters.

Wanda Nona Lucia Seliga-Socinskis was born in Riga, Latvia on December 27, 1927. At the age of 16, she had to leave her family and escape her occupied country during the war. She traveled through Germany and Austria and eventually immigrated to the United States on May 28, 1946 on board the Santa Paula. She lived in many places during her life, including Missouri, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Kansas City, where she raised her family. After retiring, she and her husband Bruce moved to Pittsburg, MO, where he later died on August 31, 1994. After his death, she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to live with her daughter, Nona Wright. She lived there for 20 years, before moving to Boulder, Colorado, in 2013, where her daughter, Diane Czarkowski, became her primary caregiver. She lived independently her entire 11 years in Boulder, which became her last home.

Wanda's formal education was interrupted by war, yet had so many talents. She knew five languages, played the piano, and was a dancer in the Riga ballet to name a few. She also wrote her incredible life memoir, a precious accomplishment that meant so much to so many who read it. She hosted many Russian and Latvian guests who visited the US. She also helped to start the resident newspaper and regularly contributed for the Brookdale community, where she lived later in life.

Family was the most precious to Wanda. Family was more than a bloodline, it was anyone that she connected with. She was married to Bruce Perry Jackson for 33 years, until his passing in 1994. She has four daughters; Nona P. Wright, Ruth Pearson Smith, Cathy Jackson, and Diane Czarkowski. She had one son, Brian David Jackson, who preceded her in death. Wanda has 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Wanda had many interests, including cooking for friends and family, sewing, dancing, bowling, and classical music. She loved attending ballet, Broadway, and symphony performances. Her favorite composter was Tchaikovsky. She loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and following March Madness basketball.

Wanda traveled the world and frequently returned to Latvia and parts of Russia, where she tirelessly researched to find more about family history.

Being of service, was a part of Wanda's core essence. She was always looking for ways to help others. She was an active member of the Assistance League of the Triangle Area, a member of the Red Hat Club, she sewed clothing for children in Haiti, she contributed to the education interests of her relatives in Latvia, and often helped them with their financial difficulties. She even sewed masks for others during the COVID pandemic.