Maelisha E. Jackson Obituary (1991 - 2014)

Maelisha E. Zemla Jackson, gone so soon, came into the world wide-eyed and curious on October 5, 1991. She departed on November 1, 2014 after attacking life fearlessly. For her, as much joy came from the journey as from the destination. Yet, life was pitted with ups and downs. After eight years in 11 foster homes, an eleven-year-old Maelisha, met Debbie and Ron Jackson near the Cape Elizabeth lighthouse. Their connection proved immediate. Maelisha was adopted into a large family predeceased by Dr. Robert Jackson and George Hitchcock. She joined sisters Kelly who is married to Marc Hasselbrack, and Amy Pimentel. Later brother and sister Ralph and Lydia Jackson. Her Grandmothers are Jan Asher and Wilma Jackson. Middle school brought basketball and track into Maelishas life, as well as love for arts and crafts, outings with the Nazarene Youth Group and swimming at the Y. School was not easy for someone with dyslexia, but assistance from Pat Bruce made her a better student. She attended Ellsworth High School. She loved cookouts and family reunions with her dad Marcellus Delano Martines to her now deceased great grandmother Mildred Blakely. She got to know and love her grandmother Willie M. Martines, sister Tameka M. Martines Philbrick, brother Anthony M. Martines, step siblings Damian and Maxine Grubb, grandmother Linda Corson, aunt Sheena M. Martines Wright, a niece, and a nephew. In Florida, her birth mother Kathleen E. Martines and brothers Paul Stengel and Corziha Young. Maelisha is also survived by siblings Kristen and Keegan Gordon, sister, Brashanti Zemla, grandmother Carol Heyburn, uncle Sheldon Train. We hope in this final journey, Maelisha is met by her son Maklen Delano Jackson ORourke, stillborn January 24, 2014, and together they will find an everlasting home with everlasting love. Maelishas Memorial Service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. For online guestbook, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. Fly free. Soar high, dear love.