Dorothy Helen Jackson of Sag Harbor Dies April 11

Dorothy Helen Jackson, the daughter of Frank and Dorothy Clark-Jackson, died on April 11, with her daughter, Gay Giles, by her bedside. She was 97.

She was born on March 22, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After the death of her mother, she moved to Amelia, Virginia, where she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Gracie and Sam Gill

She received her primary and secondary education in the Amelia County public school system and later attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia, where she studied early childhood education.

In 1948, she moved to New York, where she worked as a domestic for the Anderson family of Sag Harbor for 50 years. She also spent many years employed by the Catholic Diocese, from which she eventually retired.

During her retirement, she enjoyed family vacations, traveling across the Sound, “scratch-offs”, Sunday drives and cooking.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for many years, serving on the usher board for 35 years.

She met James Giles and the two were married in 1950. They had five children, Gayle, James, Dawson, Gloria and Gay Giles.

In 1960, she and her husband moved to Sag Harbor. After her husband’s tragic accident, she took on the immense responsibility of raising their five children on her own.

She was deeply devoted to her family. With grace and kindness, she opened her heart and home to all, her family said.

She was predeceased by her husband, James Giles; her two sons, James Giles and Dawson Giles; and her daughter, Gloria Giles. She is survived by her children, Gayle Giles and Gay Giles; her grandchildren, Alaykia Sykes, Travis Wilkins, and Cameron Long; her great-grandchild, Lennox Long; her daughter-in-law, Myrtle Long; her son-in-law, John Wyche; as well as her extended family, including Cindy Kirk, Pat Brennan, Rose Turner, and a host of cousins and friends.