Obituary of Kathleen Elizabeth Jackson

Kathleen Elizabeth Jackson, “Katie”, 19, of Rogers, CT, died Saturday, January 3, 2015, as a result of a traffic accident. She was born September 18, 1995 in San Antonio, TX, the beloved daughter of Daniel M. and Sandra M. (Bellavance) Jackson of Rogers. For 19 years Kathleen brought love and joy into her family’s life. She discovered the joy of movement early in life and at age three Katie began dancing in a Killingly Recreation Department program. That was followed by eight years at the Putnam Dance Studio. Following her attendance at Killingly Public Schools through junior high, she chose to enroll in the ACT High School for performing arts in Willimantic. There she majored in dance and performed in many school productions, graduating in 2013. Whether she was dancing for a performance, for practice, or just for the sheer pleasure of it, she was amazing and lovely to watch. Her concentration, intensity, and easy grace and poise were a wonder to see in such a small package. She was involved with cheerleading at KIS and with Special Olympics and also enjoyed swimming and piano. After High School Katie took courses at QVCC, where she planned to pursue a course as a Veterinary Assistant. She had also worked at Taco Bell in Dayville. Kathleen was filled with life, love and laughter. She leaves an emptiness that can never be filled. Katie loved traveling and spent much time in Florida, New Hampshire and Virginia as well as touring the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore with her family. She enjoyed auto racing and attended many NASCAR races, including the Daytona 500 with her dad. She also had a great affinity for animals. Among those she leaves behind, her cats Bill and Mickey, her dog Diva, three hamsters, two rats and a fish. She wanted to rescue and save everything. Besides her parents Katie leaves behind her aunts and uncles, Karen Jackson of East Killingly, Joseph Jackson and his wife Margaret Martin of Woodstock; Richard E. Bellavance and his wife Sarah of Moosup; Steven R. Bellavance and his wife Carol of Winsted; John W. Bellavance of Plainfield; Joseph F. Bellavance and his wife Kim of Corbin, KY as well as many cousins and Katie’s closest friend Andie Morrison of Willimantic. She was predeceased by her uncle David M. Bellavance, her grandparents Joseph and Josephine Jackson and Edgar and Theresa Bellavance. Calling Hours will be Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Church, 350 Hartford Pike, Dayville. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the “Katie Jackson Scholarship Fund”, c/o Lauren Law, 3050 David Avenue, Danielson, CT 06239 Share a memory with her family at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com