Life Care Center of Vista, Calif., has a resident who recently had a senior community named after her.
The Lil Jackson Senior Community opened to the public on Dec. 13, 2012, named after Lilian Jackson in honor of her contributions to the area. The three-story building provides affordable housing for low-income seniors, with helpful perks like wheelchair accessibility and pull cords.
Jackson attended the ribbon cutting and saw the finished complex in person.
“It was amazing,” said Jackson. “I only wish I could have done more to help others.”
Jackson’s legacy began long before this new building.
Originally from Arizona, Jackson was a radio disc jockey and acted on the stage of her local theater. Her husband, Louis, played the piano in some productions while she was acting. She was also a sports writer for a local newspaper back when few women held such jobs. She penned them using a man’s name (years later she reprised her writing under her own name with a column in the “Oceanside Breeze”).
The couple moved their family to Oceanside, Calif., where Jackson ran Oceanside Realty for many years.
Sadly, Jackson lost her husband in 1984 to Alzheimer’s. She then founded the North Coast and Oceanside Alzheimer’s Centers, while serving as secretary for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association of San Diego. Those duties included counseling hundreds of families in the North County dealing with the disease.
Alzheimer’s was not the only cause she got behind. She was chairwoman for special events at the North County Armed Services YMCA and a life member of Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary, Oceanside Historical Society, Western Institute Foundation for Mental Health, California State Realtors Association and about 10 other organizations. She was also president of the Soroptimist club.
Jackson won the President Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award and is listed in the Who’s Who of American Women.
“She brings out the best in everyone and always has encouraging words of support,” said Dolly Solano, marketing director.