Barbara J. Jackson, age 86, of Adrian, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at Gaslight Village Assisted Living & Memory Care. Barbara was born on August 2, 1939, in Sylvania, Ohio, to Wilbur and Elna (Wyant) Seals. Barbara met Robert Joseph Dudas at the nursery greenhouse where they were working in Toledo, and they married in 1957. They moved to Onsted, Michigan, to live in the country, and have space for animals and nature. They spent 23 years together and welcomed two children into their lives. After separating, Barbara met Paul Jackson, and they married in 1983, where they spent 14 years together. Later, Barbara moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, where she enjoyed the wonderful views and nature. She later returned to Adrian, Michigan, where she has spent the last 20 years.
Barbara worked thirty years as a Rural Mail Carrier for the Brooklyn Post Office. Barbara enjoyed the arts, from painting to sculpture, to refurbishing antiques, and a display room in the Adrian Center for the Arts. Barbara enjoyed watching shows at the Croswell, attending the Adrian Symphony Orchestra and exercise. Barbara was an avid animal lover, from showing Quarter Horses to raising German Shepherds, she loved all kinds of wildlife. Barbara also enjoyed running marathons, long bike rides and competing with others. She participated in many races and marathons where she finished first in her age group. What started as a hobby to exercise became a love and led to competing in seven Boston Marathons.
Barbara is survived by her children: Lisa Foley, and John (Kristi) Dudas; granddaughter, Alexis (Clayton Kirner) Dudas, great-grandson: Theodore; and a sister, Janet Brown, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Robert Dudas and Paul Jackson, and brother-in-laws, Richard Koch, and Dr. Keith Brown.
Visitation for Barbara will be held on Monday, January 26. 2026 at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Center for the Arts, The Croswell Opera House or the Nature Conservatory. Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.marryfh.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.