Suzunn Chaignon Jackson

Suzunn Chaignon Jackson, a resident of New Braunfels, passed away on Thursday morning, January 28, 2016 at her residence with her devoted husband Bill by her side. The weeks preceding her passing, Suzunn was surrounded by her loving friends and family, but most constantly by Bill and her beloved daughter Rachel who was her primary caregiver. Suzunn was born on June 18, 1948 in Boston, MA to Thomas Varnadoe and Louise Chaignon Varnadoe. Suzunn proudly served her country as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Serving as a medic to our injured soldiers fostered a special place in her heart for all Viet Nam veterans, particularly those left with disabilities. After completing her military service, she did some training at Harvard Medical School and graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She excelled in her profession as an Ultrasonographer for 27 years and served as the clinical director and instructor of diagnostic ultrasound at Houston Community College from 1986-1990 and president of the Texas Gulf Coast Ultrasound Society in 1989 and 1990. Suzunn was a Founding Board Member for CenterPoint Project from 1988 1991. CenterPoint has a 30 year history of hosting expos that highlight and introduce various spiritual and holistic professionals from all over the country. In 1994, a work accident amputated two fingers on her left hand, leaving her with a chronic and painful nerve disorder. Despite circumstances that would have crushed some, Suzunn bravely forged a new path for herself and soldiered on. Her service in the Armed Forces enabled her to apply and qualify for a two-year scholarship under a rehabilitation program for disabled veterans. In 1996, she then began studying at The University of Houston. In 1998, she received the Jeannette Rankin Foundation scholarship award which enabled her to complete her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Houston with a double minor in Computer Science and Communications. In Suzunn's own words, "The JRF scholarship was so much more than money for school. It was an acknowledgement that people believed in me and wanted to help me put my life back together. The award gave me back my dignity and my self-respect." Along the way, she was awarded an internship for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the Galveston Bay Estuary Program that turned into a permanent position as Education Outreach Coordinator. She received a five-year Tenure Award from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for her dedication to her work as an employee of the State of Texas. It was during this time, that the most exciting chapter in her life began when she met another disable veteran, William "Bill" Jackson, the great love of her life. Suzunn volunteered her time at Workforce Solutions which assists unemployed adults, cared for the white-tail deer that visited each day, puttered in her garden, read her cherished books and generally enjoyed her well-deserved retirement with her beloved "Mr. Jackson." Suzunn was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Varnadoe. Survivors include her husband, Captain William B. Jackson, United States Army, daughter, Rachel Tasha Rosenberg, mother, Louise Varnadoe, brothers: Robert and James Varnadoe and sister, Joann Varnadoe and many other loving friends and family members. Suzunn's intellectual brilliance and unique sense of humor, her whimsical use of the English language and her bold laughter, her generous spirit and thoughtfulness will all be deeply missed. Our SUZ is irreplaceable. We are comforted knowing she is "dancing with the Angels." Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. We ask that donations be made through this link http://www.runDFMC.org/2016/jamesv as her brother Jimmy runs the Boston Marathon in her honor and raises 10K for Dana-Farber Cancer Foundation that aides cancer patients in need.