--------------------------
Eileen Jackson
-------------------------- (1926-2006)
---------- From John Jackson
----------------
Eileen (almost 81) died in Ayr Hospital on Boxing Day having endured a
year of acute suffering before undergoing agonizing radiation therapy
that burned out the cancer but necessitated two operations to relieve
the relentless pain, operations that were rendered pointless by MRSA and
several other Hospital Acquired Infections that beat her after a protracted,
desperate struggle – the B******S!
Eileen will be remembered by many of her friends in the UK and overseas
as an author, a sympathetic listener and a good companion.
A Course Leader and Hostess to the Speakers at Swanwick many moons ago,
a past President of Ayr Writers Club and long serving Chairman of Strathclyde
Writers, Eileen retired from active writing some years ago but leaves
a legacy of over twenty novels published in more than thirty editions
and translated into 10 languages.
Having for many years written short stories for the Confession market
Eileen was in her late forties before she turned to novel writing to have
her talent first recognized in the USA. It was towards the end of the
1970s when she was taken up by London Literary Agent Gerald Pollinger
that her career blossomed.
Caring for and bringing up a family did not stop Eileen from finding time
to write each and every day – a routine she urged upon young writers
whenever she was asked to speak or comment upon writing and the writer’s
life.
In all things versatile, she tackled dark Victorian mysteries and swashbuckling
pirate adventures, M&B modern romances and tales of Regency elegance
quivering with emotional turmoil!
Towards the end of her career Eileen tackled the bigger book, the Family
Saga, and produced six novels for Hodder Headline under one of her three
pen names, Elizabeth Warne.
She undertook in-depth research to establish historical and geographic
accuracy in her work and her authentic handling of dialogue was the result
of yet more meticulous research.
A favourite setting for her family sagas was the early 20th century and
for each new plot Eileen searched out those who could remember and talk
about the working conditions, the love and heartbreak experienced by those
who survived to tell the tale.
Compassionately and with infinite patience, by interview and correspondence,
she amassed a wealth of material on which to feed her imagination.
Born in Bristol, Eileen and husband John (six times Chairman of their
beloved Swanwick) lived in Oxford and later in Manchester before moving
to Scotland with their family in 1977 where for almost twenty years they
lived in a Regency gatehouse tucked away in the wilds of Ayrshire.
Before her illness Eileen delighted in meeting her many friends at Swanwick
where she could relax and savour the company of her favourite people -
fellow writers.
I am sure she will miss you all almost as much as I miss her.
John
--------------------------- From Katy Clarke
Swanwick chairman
---------------------------
Eileen Jackson was known to many of us at Swanwick, as a great ally, a
friend, an encourager, an inspirational and generous tutor. A prolific
published author.
And last August, despite ill health, Eileen had tried her best to get
to The Hayes. Her beloved John at the wheel, they set off. Eileen eager
to see old friends at Swanwick. Swanwick was so important to both Eileen
and John.
Actually it was Eileen who, over twenty years ago, befriended me at Ayr
Writers' Club.
She was one of the main reasons I kept my writing going. She inspired
me with her incredible writing and success. Eileen was the reason I came
to Swanwick. I remember the vitality and passion in her voice as she told
me of this magical place for writers in Derbyshire. That I must go .
That was Eileen all over, generous, witty, enthusiastic, capable, a consummate
professional,encouraging, warm....and to me,a dear, dear friend with whom
I shared much..(.and high up there is a ridiculous amount of laughing!
) I have been privileged and lucky to have known Eileen.
We will, I am sure, miss her beyond measure at Swanwick. At Swanwick,
Eileen happily gave her time and talent to tutoring writers, was at the
helm, willing always to encourage a new writer.
She was at John's side, a 'first lady' to his time as chairman. They,
she and John, were a 'double act'. Such an aura of love around them, so
much laughter, so many smiles between them.
Those of us who know them, saw them together, know they were a 'meant
to be'
couple.
These times are going to be beyond description for John. I know we will
all be sending a great wave of love to John. For now and the days ahead.
To John, Debbie, Alys, Lesley and all Eileen's family...our prayers and
thoughts.
Katy.
--------------------------- From Chris Gibbs
--------------------------- I
was so sorry to hear about Eileen Jackson's passing.
I looked on Eileen and her husband John as sort of fixtures at Swanwick
and even more so when he became Chairman.
Being a fellow Scot we often had many chats together, mainly about our
love of writing.
She was an asset to the school and will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to John and their family.
Chris
---------- From Jean Saunders
----------
Eileen was one in a
million.
She was a darling woman who I was happy to call my friend for so many
years.
The poignant, heartfelt thoughts expressed by John, will I'm sure be echoed
by all her Swanwick family who knew her well.
Her own thoughts, feelings and emotions, remain in her books, and for
that she will be remembered by those who didn't even know her, but whose
lives she would have touched through the magic of her words.
