Margaret “Jackie” Alice Elaine Smith Cabo

Margaret “Jackie” Alice Elaine Smith Cabo, 84, rejoined her beloved Ben on June 11, 2014. Jackie peacefully passed away at her daughter’s home in Palmer, surrounded by family.

She was born Jan. 9, 1930, in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the fourth child born to William Roy and Alice Alberta (Selwood) Smith. The family moved to Palmer in May of 1935 as part of the Matanuska Colony. She spent her elementary school years at Old Matanuska and Central School, graduating in 1947 from Palmer High School.

Jackie met Ben in April of 1950 when she was working at the drug store soda fountain and Ben was tending bar at the Spud Cellar. They were married six weeks later, a marriage that celebrated 53 years. During her lifetime, Jackie ran the “Kiddy Drop Daycare,” worked for the Mat-Su Borough, managed the family owned Belvedere Apartments, and raised three children.

After Ben’s retirement, they enjoyed many years as snow birds, living between Palmer and Yuma. Jackie was a member of Pioneers and spent many years volunteering at the Palmer Pioneer Home. She enjoyed her crafts and teaching the “Tuesday Ladies” how to paper toile.

Jackie is survived by their three children, Deb (Bob) Meier; Cindi (Dave) Cabo-Carroll; Ben (Melissa) Cabo; six grandchildren, Brandon (Caley) Cabo, Victora (Bill) Coghill, Amanda (Chris) Cabo-Settle, Stephanie (Scott) Jackson, Christy (Dan) Clark, and Jocelyn (Dave) Lazer; 11 great-grandchildren, Kendal and Bode Cabo, Gabriella and Adam Coghill, Amaretta and Reven Settle, Ashley and Nicholas Jackson, Grace Clark, and Ciara and Carter Lazer; brother, Jerry (Kristy) Smith; blended family members, Bryan, Michelle and Tyler Marshall, Adeshka, Tom and David VanKrevelen, Phillip, Karen, Winter and Lily Meier, Michaela, Nate and Nash Teater, Annaliese, and Zak and Hendrick Danner; and numerous nieces, nephews and great friends.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Ben; parents, William R. and Alice A. Smith; sisters: Charlotte Smith, Willa Eckhard, Jeannie Smith; and brother, Charles A. Smith.

A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., July 27 at the Palmer Elk’s Club off Bogard Road.

The family asks that donations be made to Mat-Su Hospice in lieu of flowers. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.