Lesley Jackson

September 10, 1945 – July 11, 2025

With tremendous sadness we relay the sudden death of Lesley Jackson. Lesley died in a tragic road accident on 11 July 2025.

Lesley was born in Peebles, Scotland and grew up on the east coast of Scotland in the small fishing village of St Cyrus. Daughter of James and Sarah Dickson, she had a younger brother, Alexander, who survives her today. After schooling Lesley moved to Calgary, AB in 1966. Her soon to be husband, Victor, whom she met in Scotland in nearby Montrose, decided he couldn’t be without her, and he also moved to Canada soon after; they were married in 1968. Within four years, two sons, Mark and Paul, were born and, in 1974, the family moved to live on a farm near Calmar, Alberta, where they lived until 2005, tending goats, sheep, Highland cows, arable crops, a handful of horses, and more than two handfuls of dogs. Lesley dearly loved her many dogs. We imagine them all joyously greeting her at the pearly gates.

In 2005 she and Victor were on holiday when they passed through Smithers and Bulkley Valley. They instantly fell in love with the place and its people, and moved almost immediately, lock stock and barrel. Victor died of cancer in 2009, but Lesley continued to live just off Tatlow Road. She deeply loved her farm, which was the centre of her life, and she deeply loved and cherished her community.

Practical, independent, intensely hardworking, and stubborn, Mum was also quietly spiritual and sensitive. She often said the mountain, in whose shadow she lived, gave her solace and strength. The land was her ground. Generative values of care, tending, discipline, and nurturance extended from her beloved farm, garden, and animals to supporting young people in their learning on and with the land. Numerous Young Agrarians, WWOOFs, Workaways, and locals stayed, worked, and learned with her on the farm. Today many continue to live, work, and tend in the Valley as stalwarts of the community, many with the Bulkley Valley Farmers’ Market – another centring force in Mum’s life. Many more have taken their time on the farm away with them into wider worlds. Mum touched many lives in many loving ways. Just shy of her 80th, she was filled with life and full of plans; her time came, terribly, too soon and too suddenly. She will be deeply missed.

Lelsey is survived by her brother, Alexander, her sons Mark and Paul, her daughter-in-law Jennifer, and her beloved grandson, Milo.

Friends and family are very welcome to gather for a memorial at the Old Church in Smithers, on 31 July 2025 from 3-5pm. Tributes at 3:30pm.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to BCSPCA.