Mary Elizabeth Sixt-Jackson
SIXT, JACKSON, SMITH, SMALLEY, NEPON, GUTH, ROELF, KIRBY, MUNZ, SMITH, JUSTICE
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/29/2021 at 09:30:22
Mary Elizabeth Sixt-Jackson, 62, of Iowa City, died on March 10, 2021 surrounded by her children.
Mary was born February 23, 1959 in Iowa City, Iowa to Marty and Shirley (Smith) Sixt, who lovingly raised her along with her five siblings on the family farm on Rapid Creek Road. The farm, and adjacent quarry, are where their sibling shenanigans blossomed and some of their most memorable years were spent with friends and family on the property. From cardboard boat races to pig roasts, bonfires, fishing, floating, skinny dipping, camping, and many family celebrations and milestones, the farm always held an important place in Mary’s life. In 1977, Mary, a standout swimmer and main-hall-motorcycle-riding prankster, graduated from City High School in Iowa City.
Mary began her career in California before moving to Arizona and then back to Iowa City in 1986 where she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. Being a mother to her three children, Maxine, Denver and Celia, brought her so much joy (and many headaches). She raised her three strong, independent children in Iowa City while starting and owning multiple businesses and finally working as a Project Manager at Pearson for 16 years.
Always the life of the party, Mary was a gregarious, strong, loving, generous person who made friends wherever she went. She would give someone the shirt off her back, or her last nickel, if they were in need - and did, many times over. Mary’s home was always open and welcoming, often with an extra place set at the table just in case a friend or family member stopped by around dinner time.
At 53, Mary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This diagnosis proved to be the largest challenge she faced in her life, ultimately forcing her to retire and sell her home as daily activities such as walking, typing, driving, and even breathing and speaking became more and more difficult. Through all of it, she never lost her optimism, while her fiercely independent (and stubborn) nature propelled her to keep doing the things she loved for as long as she could. She continued to gather with her longtime group of friends for “First Fridays”, participated in RAGBRAI on her tricycle with her brother Jerry, hunted morel mushrooms with her sisters Rosemary and Martha, gardened, crafted, and enjoyed many holiday traditions with her extended family.
Family was the most important part of Mary’s life, they supported her from day one of her diagnosis and helped her to maintain her independence for as long as possible. Mary took a special interest in each of her children, always accepting each one as they were and encouraging them to become the best versions of themselves. For that, and so much more, she will be deeply missed.
Mary is survived by her three children Maxine Jackson of Portland, ME, Denver Jackson of Little Rock, AR, and Celia Jackson of Seattle, WA; her mother Shirley Sixt Smalley of Houston, TX; four siblings, Jerry (Janice) Nepon-Sixt of Tampa, FL, Karen (Joe) Guth of Portland, OR, Rosemary (Mike) Roelf of Iowa City, IA, and Martha (Bob) Sixt Kirby of Iowa City, IA; her aunt Marcia Munz of Iowa City, IA, uncle Roger Smith of Fruita, CO, aunt Barbara Justice of Issaquah, WA and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father Marty Sixt; brother Tom Sixt and stepfather Allan Smalley.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you would like to be included in future celebration communications, please email: msj.celebration@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) or The Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://www.michaeljfox.org/)
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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