Paula Jackson (Ingberg)

Paula Pessa Massa (Ingberg) Jackson, long time resident of Grayling, age 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 3, 2010 in Grayling, Michigan. Paula was born August 21, 1918 in Minden, Germany. Her parents were Hirsch Wolf and Sosse Charlotte (Klepfisz) Ingberg, both from Warsaw, Poland. Paula was the seventh of eleven children having 3 half-brothers, 4 half-sisters, 2 younger brothers and a younger sister. Paula's parents owned a resale business on the Kampstrasse in Minden, living above the store in a three story house. As a child, Paula loved to sing and read the Tarzan novels and her favorite romance novel, "Rote Rosen" (Red Roses). Paula recalled songs she sang as a youth like "Wenn der weise flieder" and "Hansel und Gretal" and loved to sing these tunes even as an adult. She always remembered fondly her grade school teacher, Herr Dahlmeier and her closest friend, Lisa Lotti Wobker. Paula often recalled picnics with her younger siblings on the river Weser and climbing Porta Westalica, the nearby mountain. Paula attended college in Warsaw, Poland studying Fashion Design and was awarded a certificate of graduation with high marks. Paula's family were Polish Jews and as such suffered in the Holocaust. Paula had many close calls including: escaping via rooftops, hiding in a bathroom and not being found, and being put in jail for reasons none other than being Jewish. A local Rabbi brought about her release, giving her only seven days to leave the country. Paula traveled to many consulate offices and eventually succeeded in obtaining a domestic permit to England. Even during her journey there, she witnessed others being taken from the train and killed. Paula was the only member of her immediate family to survive the Holocaust. She fled to England in 1939 and worked various jobs. During WWII, Paula served as a member of the Women's Land Army on a farm near Oundle, Peterborough. Paula recently received a Merit Badge from Great Britain for her volunteer service during the war. It was while volunteering for the Women's Land Army that she met Kenneth Robert Jackson, a Grayling resident, who was serving in the United States Army Air Corps. They met at the Red Lion Pub and felt instantly in love. They married May 14, 1945 and Paula came to Grayling in 1946, remaining here for the rest of her life. Paula enjoyed music, sewing, knitting, philosophy, history and travel. In addition to travel in the USA, she visited several countries including: England, Scotland, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Israel. Paula was a caring, considerate, friendly and social person who made many friends everywhere she went. She was a loving mother, wife and friend. One of her favorite daily activities was visiting Goodale's Bakery and Glens Market chatting with all her friends there. Paula was predeceased by her husband Kenneth Robert Jackson who passed away October 14, 1983. Paula was also predeceased by her grandson Jason Howe. She is survived by her four children: David Robert (Dianne) Jackson of Florida, Robert Max (Ronna) Jackson of New York City, Rosemary Sullivan of Holt and Elizabeth (Michael Reinhardt) Jackson of Muskegon and Grayling; grandchildren: Steve (Wanda) Jackson, Melissa (Scott) Howe, Maia Ruth Jackson-Brown, Jonathan Sullivan, Tara Sullivan and Tammy (Johnny) Nobles; great-grandchildren: Stephani and Brandyn Howe, Amanda Jackson, John, Jake, Margaret, Callie, and James Nobles; nieces Charlotte Rosenzweig of Israel and Carlotta Zalcsztajn of Brazil; and several great nieces and nephews including Marshall Zalc of New Jersey who is assisting with the funeral. Funeral services will be conducted by George Morse on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home in Grayling, Michigan. Visitation from 5:00-6:00 pm. Funeral at 6:00 pm. Graveside service to follow. The family suggests memorial contributions to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in honor/memory of Paula: (http://web.ushmm.org/site/c.klKQLcMVIqG/b.3938611/k.6247/Tribute__Memorial_Gifts.htm) United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024-2126. Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paula Jackson (Ingberg), please visit our flower store.