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Family accept OBE for late politician Jackson

Posthumous honour: Louise Jackson, the former One Bermuda Alliance and United Bermuda Party MP, with her husband, former Senate President Albert Jackson. Mrs Jackson died just days after being named in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List. Susan Jackson, her daughter, accepted the insignia on her mother’s behalf at Buckingham Palace last month (Photogrpah supplied)

Family members have accepted an honour given by the Queen to a former One Bermuda Alliance and United Bermuda Party MP who died six years ago.

Louise Jackson was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the Queen for her years of public service and her work for Bermuda’s seniors in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List.

Mrs Jackson, who was 83, died on January 2 that year, a few days after the appointment was announced by Government House.

Susan Jackson, her daughter and also an OBA MP, accepted on her mother’s behalf at Buckingham Palace last month.

The gong was presented to Ms Jackson by the Princess Royal. Louise Jackson was earlier made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Her husband, the late Albert Jackson, a former Senate president, was also appointed an MBE and OBE.

Ms Jackson, who represents Pembroke South West, said that the example set by her parents had pushed her “to step up and participate at the highest level I could in the Bermuda community”.

She added: “To be able to go and receive that honour on her behalf, to me, was almost like an initiation. It was challenging me to do better.”

Louise Jackson said at the time of the investiture that the OBE was “a reflection of the way in which the community has worked with me as a MP”.

Mrs Jackson added: “Together, we have addressed issues and challenges in the delivery of health services and the care of our seniors. The dignity of seniors, in particular, has been my focus and the most important aspect of my political career.”

Louise Jackson, who retired from politics in 2012, was a teacher for most of her adult life.

Originally from Pennsylvania, she founded the Jackson School of Performing Arts in 1953 and was its director until 1999.

Mrs Jackson was also the founder of the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda, chairwoman of the Bermuda National Gallery, and a member of the programme committee of the Bermuda Festival.