Linda Kathryn Jackson, of New Haven, Conn., died at home on Jan. 9, 2025, while in hospice care, in the loving embrace of her husband and children. She was known as L. Kathryn, or Kate, to friends and family; “Mom,” “Mommy,” “Mother,” “Moma” and “Ma” to her children. She was affectionately known as “Nani” to all of her grandchildren. She was a beloved wife to Daryl Michael Bradley. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 13, 1948, to the late Muriel C. Summers of Chicago, Ill., and John Henry Jackson (Banks) of Indianola, Miss.
Kate was educated at Kenwood Elementary, and briefly at Hyde Park High School. She relocated several times with her mother which led her to attend New Rochelle High School in New York and then she moved to Connecticut where she graduated from Hamden High School.
Kate held various jobs, but pursued non-traditional careers; she first received a certificate in automotive repair in the 70s and she worked at Sears Automotive doing tune-ups, changing shocks, etc. She then received her Journeyman’s Certificate with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America in 1986, making her one of the first of two women to join the local 24 Carpenters Union. She was forced to end her career as a carpenter due to an illness that years later was diagnosed as Lupus.
Her illness prevented her from remaining in the workforce in a way that was meaningful to her so she focused on family, art, work and reading at home and giving to many charities that focused on saving our planet and animals. She enjoyed nature, flowers, the color turquoise and turquoise jewelry, Native American History and lore, wolves, thunderbirds, and her many pets in life, starting with a cat called Mr. Lucky and her latest dog named Pongyo.
After high school, Kate returned to New Rochelle where she met her first husband, John B. Johnson, with whom she had two children. Their marriage ended shortly after she had her second child and returned to Connecticut.
Kate was a member of a New Haven science fiction association called “Fred,” where she met her second husband, Al Sirois. They married in 1977 and she divorced him in the early 1980s. Sharing some same interests and experiencing some new things together, she started getting close to her future true soulmate, a long time friend, Daryl Bradley, to whom she married in 1987. Through their union they had one child.
Through the decades, the home she built with her husband was the place for gatherings, dinners, and birthdays with family flowing through knowing the home of “Nani and Gumpy” (Kate and Daryl) was the anchor to all. A home adorned with art, music, life, a place of culture and wisdom, a place of peace to quiet the mind. It will remain that place as she journeys to the stars.
Kate leaves to cherish her memories her husband Daryl Bradley; her mother-in-law, Darnella Bradley (Ducky), and the Benton Street Family; one sister, Alexandra Van Sweringen (Dan Robinson) of El Paso, Texas; one brother, Jackson Jackson-Marsh (Allen Marsh) of Temple N.H.; her three children Stephani L. Johnson (Tyrone Outlaw) of New Haven, Conn., Jon “Chris” Johnson Sr. of Creedmoor N.C., and Harrison A. Jackson-Bradley of New Haven, Conn. She has seven grandchildren: Aaron, Vaughn, Julian, KeAsia, Deidre, Chris Jr. and Jayce; and six great grandchildren: Elliot, Winter, Harmony, Tyrell, Lilyana and J. Carter. She has one nephew, Brian Ceely; one loved furry family member, Pongyo; and a host of dear cousins and fond neighbors.
A service to Celebrate Kate’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society Church at 608 Whitney Ave.