Ms. Jennifer Dianne Jackson

October 4, 1970 - February 23, 2021

Jennifer Dianne Jackson, 50, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Jennifer was the daughter of Dianne Ryan Light and the late John William Jackson, Jr. (Jack). As a young child, Jennifer, along with her ever-present sidekick sister Suzanne Jackson Nagy, loved riding horses, playing tennis, painting, hosting pool parties, and running around the neighborhood with her friends on Ivy Hall Drive. On the weekends, Jennifer and her friends were often found at the family’s two restaurants, LaBrasca’s Pizza and Jesudi’s, playing Pac Man with a stack of quarters, selecting favorite tunes from the jukebox, eating pizza, tugging on the stuffed lion’s tail, and helping to wait on the customers. Jennifer attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and was a proud member of the Class of 1989. While at Heathwood, Jennifer found her love of world languages, Spanish, and French, participated on the cheer and tennis teams, and spent time with those who would become her lifelong friends. Her years at Heathwood were a very happy time in her life. Jennifer went on to attend the College of Charleston, completing her degree with a double major in French and Spanish in 1993. Jennifer had a wonderful time those years in Charleston, living on Wentworth Street, working in all the lively restaurants, traveling the world, and going to the beach as often as possible in search of the perfect tan to complement her blond hair and blue eyes. Although Jennifer struggled mightily for most of her life with issues of addiction, she was such a positive person. She battled. Jen had a witty sense of humor, a sharp memory, an optimistic outlook on life, and an incredible laugh. She had a kind heart and was concerned with others. Jen was the first to make prank calls, ride a roller coaster, eat junk food, drink Coke, or to watch movies and stay up late. Jennifer loved and was loved. And although we are devastated by her loss, we find comfort in the certainty that she is with God and her soul can rest peacefully. To continue to share her gifts, we are kindly asking that in lieu of flowers, friends make contributions in her honor to the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School Annual Fund, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School,3000 South Beltline Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29201, or to https://www.heathwood.org/giving/annual-fund The immediate family will have a private mass and burial at a later date. We are so grateful for the prayers and the love shown to us now and for all the years that people prayed for Jennifer and were generous with kind gestures.