Obituaries

Z-TV network. The Zebra Press Publisher Mary Wadland said, “We’re thrilled to work with the entire team at ALX. We admire their commitment to community and feel our resources are aligned beautifully to share the news and events that matter to Alexandrians.” ALX Community Partner and COO Kelly Grant concurred. “We love partnering with The Zebra to celebrate the amazing people and small businesses in our beloved city. Z-TV provides a unique distribution channel that can offer our friends and neighbors a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and connect with each other.” The two companies first collaborated in October for the RBG Vigil at Market Square. They worked together again in early January when Z-TV broadcast, live from ALX Community, Alexandria author Martha Carucci’s virtual book launch for Sobrietease 2 on the We Should Talk About That podcast (WeSTAT). In fact, the cohosts of Alexandria’s popular WeSTAT podcast, Jessica Buchanan and Jessica Kidwell, will begin to broadcast regularly on Z-TV LIVE from ALX Community. Their first episode will air Wednesday, February 2, at 7 pm. Z-TV is looking to expand its offerings while covering Alexandria’s hot topics, events, restaurants and retail news, and DIY segments. ALX Community is known for its outreach efforts and events that connect and educate. While much of this is taking place virtually now, everyone involved is looking forward to meeting in person as soon as it is safe to do so. Be sure to stay tuned to the Facebook pages of The Zebra Press and ALX Community for all upcoming shows, events, and opportunities to get involved.

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ner in our mission to provide world-class health care to the communities we have the privilege to serve,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO of Inova. “We are thrilled for the potential to build a new hospital and medical campus, one that would allow us to expand our seamless system of care, TUTOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 tance of it.”

Allison Verich is proud of her children. “These kids are self-motivated to meaningfully impact their community. Sofia saw a problem and resolved to do something about it. Even the pandemic did not deter them – the program only grew as it moved online. Everyone wins with grassroots action like this.”

The students need headphones, and Sofia is working increase our services, and elevate the facilities in Alexandria and throughout the region for decades to come.”

Development plans include a residential area, as well as entertainment and retail offerings. The space is envisioned as a neighborhood, complete with parks and access to public transportation.

Construction could begin as soon as next year. It is estimated that the buildings will

be in use by 2025. to gather donations. The students have laptops from FCPS and there is WiFi at the community center, but the room is large, and headphones would help reduce some of the noise distractions.

If you can make a donation for headphones and school supplies for the kids, visit Unitedcommunity.org/giveto-United-community.html. Please indicate “To be used for Creekside Village Community Center only” in the comments.

JESSY MAY ABRAMSON JACKSON (96), CIVIL SERVANT

Jessy Jackson passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, January 12, 2021 in Springfield, VA.

Jessy was born on October 17, 1924 and was one of four siblings born to Edith Sloan Steelman and John Abramson of Woodbury, NJ in Gloucester County, which once incorporated the Great Egg Harbor Town- Jessy Jackson ship that today still carries the Steelman and Scull town surnames of her founding Washington. ascendants of the Dutch In 1971, after their son and Swede settlements of had graduated from Anthe Colonial Era. nandale High School

The Abramsons and went on to Virginmoved to Washington, ia Tech for college, Jessy D.C. during the Great returned to her career at Depression where Jessy the Department of the graduated from Central Army in Washington. High School. She then She retired 18 years later began her career as a as a computer specialist, federal civil servant with on the precipice of the the Department of Agri- internet era, in Decemculture (USDA) during ber 1989. WWII. While there, she Throughout her life, met Blaine C. Jackson, Jessy enjoyed the comSr., who was an enlisted pany of her family, Marine. They married friends, and cats. She was while he was on leave a staunch advocate for during Thanksgiving women’s equality with weekend - November earning her aviator’s li25, 1944. cense during WWII.

Jessy continued with She was a creative soul, the USDA until June who could create any1951, when she trans- thing with a spool of ferred to the Department thread, yarn, needle, of the Army when the paint brush, or candle couple moved to Nor- wax, and as a committee folk, VA, where Blaine member and Chair of the had accepted a position Christmas Bazaars at her with the Department of Episcopalian Church, Treasury in the Alcohol would submit her creTax Unit. It was upon ations for the charitable the long-awaited birth of cause. She was an avid their son, Blaine, Jr., in gardener, with her home 1953, that led the family being one that those to then move to the City strolling by would stop of Alexandria, and later and gaze at her beauSpringfield, VA as Jessy tiful azaleas, hibiscus, remained home (1954- and favorite annuals, all 1971) and Blaine, Sr. ac- the while growing tocepted his established matoes, raspberries, and position with the IRS in blueberries in the backyard. She could expertly finesse the tournament bridge game and create the best “cakey” cookies. She loved her daily glass of wine, Godiva Chocolate Martinis, and she always celebrated the end of every year by hosting THE annual Christmas Party that she began in the 1960’s for her neighbors and friends. One that continues to this day, thru the generations. And, above all, she was loved and she loved back – fiercely.

Jessy was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Blaine C. Jackson, Sr. (2003), her sisters Iris West, Eugenie Collins, and her brother John Abramson.

Jessy is survived by her beloved son, Blaine C. Jackson, Jr., daughterin-law Alexandria City Councilwoman Amy Jackson, and grandchildren, Ella and Blaine, III (“Bryce”), all of Alexandria, VA.

As a lifelong advocate for animal welfare and the environment, it is in keeping with Jessy’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made in her memory to one of her favorite non-profits: Best Friends Animal Society (link: https://bestfriends.org/).

A visitation in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions will be held at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home at 1500 W. Braddock Road in Alexandria, VA on Thursday, January 21, 2021, 4-6pm. A private gravesite ceremony will follow in the spring at Arlington National Cemetery.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. —Mark Twain