It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret “Freda” Jackson announce her passing on May 3, 2026, in Maple Ridge, BC.
Freda was born in County Monaghan, Ireland on April 20, 1943. She moved to Canada in May of 1957 with her family. She is predeceased by her parents John Dunwoody and Margaret Jean Jackson. Freda is survived by her sister Louise Severinski and her husband Harry, her brother Eric Jackson, her step-sister Louise Menzel, her niece Linda Beek (Shane), her nephews Rodney Severinski (Christine), Kevin Severinski (Audra), Leory Severinski (Darlene), and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Freda joined the Canadian Air Force at a young age and stayed with them until she retired. While in the miliary she was stationed throughout Canada and around the world where she made many life-long friendships.
She was an artist. She tried and excelled at every new trend that came along, macramé, pottery and ceramics, decoupage, cake decorating, tole painting, paper tole, sewing projects like Father Christmas, Angels, Bears, Bunnies, curtains, home décor and matching hats.
And then when she was stationed in Nova Scotia near the time of her retirement, she tried Traditional Rug Hooking, she fell in love with it. She was passionate about rug hooking, when she retired she brough the art with her. She started a group first in Chilliwack and then another in the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows area. The Gone Hooking Group has done many projects together for support of different charities such as the Pitt Meadows Lion’s Club and BC Cancer. She got the group involved in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Art Studio Tour, The Home Show, Library Days, Canada Day, local fairs, and demonstrations at Heritage Sites across the Lower Mainland. She has been an instructor and mentor for many over the past 25 years. Offering guidance and friendship to her hooking family wherever she goes. She loved going to “Gatherings” whether in the Prairies, on the Island or into the States.
Freda was a very independent, thoughtful and loving family member. She was our Favourite Sister and our Favourite Aunt. From her beautiful blue eyes to her feisty comments, she will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.
A “Gathering” will be held later in her honour.
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May 18th, 2026
I knew Freda for less than a year before she was collected. I was so lucky to spar and match wits with this amazing woman. You won't be resting in heaven, will you Freda...you'll be marching around the celestial beyond saying, "Less talking, more hooking!"
I will always be grateful for having had you teaching me how to hook, and I will forever remember your spectacular blue eyes.
May 17th, 2026
Sincere sympathies from Alice Martin and family, Killyvane, Monaghan, Ireland.
May 13th, 2026
Auntie Freda was such a huge part of so many of our childhood memories. I’ll never forget all of us kids climbing all over her, pestering her nonstop, and bugging her every chance we got. No matter how many times she told us to “bug off” 😂😂 we never listened, because deep down we knew she loved every second of it.
She always brought laughter, personality, and so much love to our family. Those memories will stay with us forever and will always make us smile when we think of her.
Auntie Freda will be missed, but never forgotten. ❤️
May 12th, 2026
My condolences go out to Freda's family and friends. Freda taught me how to rug hook and I joined the Gone Hooking Group. She was not impressed with my achievements and we bantered back and forth in fun.
She was a feisty caring soul with incredible twinkly blue eyes which I will never forget-she was full of mischief.
Rest in peace Freda-you will be always be sorrowly missed and remembered.
May 11th, 2026
Bill, Sean & I were so very saddened to hear of our dear friend Freda’s passing. I met Freda in Moose Jaw (my first posting) & we were also posted together in Edmonton & Greenwood.
I so admired Freda’s sense of duty & adventure. From immigrating to Canada as a teenager from Ireland, to joining the Air Force; she was always up for the next challenge & experience. Some things she accomplished during her military career were travelling the world as a military flight attendant (Trenton), deploying as one of the first female UN peacekeepers to Egypt (Cold Lake)and completing a 6 month deployment to Alert, Nunavut (the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world) (Moose Jaw). Although she didn’t jump out of airplanes, she was the first female supply tech posted to Canadian Forces Parachute Maintenance Depot( CFPMD). During her posting in Greenwood, she dawned a blue beret again & deployed to Kigali, Rwanda on humanitarian efforts and being amongst the first members on UNAMIR II,experienced horrific after effects of the terrible genocide.
A very quiet,classy lady, Freda’s quick whit, light hearted sarcasm & spontaneous humour will be forever in our memories.
I recall many times when the “quiet listener” would interject with the most clever comment or response & the room would erupt with laughter.
I so enjoyed her banter & witty returns & recall many the time when her lightheartedness was so perfectly timed & brought much amusement to many a social engagement. I will certainly miss our phone calls & those witty retorts & clever one liners.
We were certainly blessed to have had you in our lives & to have called you our friend & Seans favourite, “Miss Freda”.
A best friend is like a four leaf clover 🍀:hard to find & lucky to have.
RIP our dear friend
Sonia, Bill & Sean Lauzon
May 11th, 2026
I met Freda while I was in the RCAF and moved to Trenton Ontario to be an Air stewardess for the military. Freda & I flew together and lived together along with Sandra Jones until I left the military in 1971 to get married. I still live in Ontario and have kept in touch. We had great times together. I’m sure she will be missed by the many people who have interacted with her over the years.
May she rest in peace and have eternal rest. God Bless Freda! Gone but won’t be forgotten!🙏💜
May 8th, 2026
I met Freda when we were both Flight Attendants in the CAF, in our 20's, we've been friends ever since. Even tho I'm on the east coast the distance didnt matter.
I still believe some of her superstition's, I will not make plans on Sunday, for fear they won't come true and once you leave home and realize you've forgot something, you can't go back and get it !
My blue eyed friend I'll miss you, it was an honor to be your friend
May 8th, 2026
Rest in peace dear Freda....
May 8th, 2026
I met Freda when she did 2 day class in rug hooking on the Sunshine Coast. I loved it and Freda who was charming and had dry sense of humour made it a fond memory.
When I moved to Maple Ridge I reconnected with her and had many visits buying wool and talking about hooking and our lives.
My thoughts go out to her family. I am sad that I will not hear the cadence of her voice and see her alert blue eyes.
Jane’ Forster
May 8th, 2026
Deepest condolences to Freda's family & friends. I met this dynamic woman in 2002 after my life collapsed & she became my teacher & mentor. Freda knew I was in trouble & put a hoop, a hook, a piece of burlap & wool fabric in my hands & taught me to rug hook. I was absolutely Freda's worst student. Freda & rug hooking helped me heal from & CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER.
Had Thanks to Freda & her love of rug hooking, her mentorship, doors opened for me that never would have. The highlight of my life was meeting Dr. Jane Goodall & presenting her with a handcrafted & designed rug hooked project. I have never stopped rug hooking. If not for Freda I don't know what direction my life would have taken. Take you Freda Jackson, you weren't just a teacher, a mentor, but you were a life saver. You will be missed but NEVER forgotten. You are a part of every rug hooker's soul that you ever taught.
May 7th, 2026
Condolences to all Fredas family & friends,May Freda Rest in Peace,
Thinking of yous all 🙏
Deborah,Ciaran,Rachel,Callum.
Knocknalun,
Scotstown,
Monaghan,
Ireland.
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