Maxine Lynn Reese (Jackson), a longtime Tacoma resident, died at St. Joseph’s Medical Center on Tuesday, September 27, 2023. She was 74 years old. Lynn was born on June 10, 1949 in Anchorage, Alaska, to Otis F. and Stella M. Jackson, and was preceded in death by both her parents and her brother Steven Jackson. She is survived by her husband Robert, her daughters, Michelle and Jennifer, her sister, Sharon (Banks), her brothers Kenneth (Judy) and Clifford, her sister-in-law Ellen, and her five grandchildren, Levi, Chase, Collin, Kyle, and Marcus.
Lynn’s family spent the first 10 years of her life moving around Alaska, Oregon, and Washington before settling in the Old Town area of Tacoma. She attended Stadium High school and graduated in 1967. She met Robert and were married on December 16, 1967 and in 1970 they moved into their North End home on N. Mance where they raised their two daughters and have resided for 50+ years.
Lynn had many neighborhood friends through those years and enjoyed watching the neighborhood change and grow. She was a selfless and caring person who always asked about the well being of others and their families even while battling her own medical condition the past 4 years. Her favorite activity was driving through Pt. Defiance Park to count her animals, especially the deer, which she did almost every day. She cherished any time with family, especially her grandchildren. Her interests included bowling, Saturday night Pony races, Seahawk parties, and family/friend gatherings at El Toro.
Lynn was especially proud of two recent accomplishments in her life. The first was her membership at Westgate Physical Therapy where she was a member since 2007 after a knee replacement. After a fall and breaking her pelvis in 2010 she decided to change her lifestyle and get in shape. She lost over 85 lbs. and was named Exercise Member of the Month in May 2011. The second was her acceptance in the auxiliary of the Narrows Bridge VFW. She would attend several events weekly, no matter how sick she was feeling, at the “V” and adored the friends she and Robert made there. Her family is eternally grateful for, and to, these people for loving Lynn and making her so happy. Lynn’s kindness, generosity, loyalty, hospitality, and humor will be missed by many.
Lynn will be interred at Haven of Rest Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Gig Harbor, near her parents and brother, overlooking Puget Sound. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, October 4 at the Narrows Bridge VFW, 4741 N. Baltimore St., Tacoma, WA 98407 beginning at 1 pm for anyone that wishes to attend to remember and share their memories of Lynn.
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