Marcia Larsen Jackson Strok

Marcia Ellen Larsen was born on November 2, 1932, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the elder of two daughters of Dr. Carl Donald Larsen and Donna Bounds Larsen. In 1939, her family moved to Bethesda, Maryland, the state she would call home for the rest of her life. She attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, trained briefly at the Corcoran School of Art, and completed two years at the University of Maryland before marrying the love of her life, Elmer “Jay” Jackson III, in 1952 at the age of 20. By 27, she was the mother of four children under the age of five and devoted herself to creating a busy, joyful household. After Jay’s death in 1972, Marcia returned to college to begin a career and support her children. She earned a bookkeeping degree and worked as a bookkeeper for accounting firms for 25 years. In 1981, she married Colonel Michael J. Strok, to whom she was married for 20 years before being widowed a second time. Marcia was active in numerous community organizations throughout her life, taking on leadership roles in gardening, flower arranging, and Ikebana clubs. She served on the board of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and found great joy singing with community chorales, including the Annapolis Chorale, with which she performed at Carnegie Hall, and the Mercy Ridge Chorus. She was a passionate lover of music, ballet, and opera, and attended performances throughout her life. She also served as a docent at the Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Evergreen House, as well as head of the gardening committee at Roland Park Condominiums and head of the Dining Committee at Mercy Ridge Retirement Community. A highly skilled interior designer, Marcia generously shared her eye for beauty with her children, grandchildren, and friends. She was also an enthusiastic traveler who explored China, Japan, and Europe, often embarking on memorable journeys with both her mother and her daughter. She will be remembered for her artistic flair, creativity, and steadfast devotion to her children and grandchildren. Marcia Larsen Jackson Strok is survived by her four children, Elmer “Jay” Jackson IV, Donald Jackson (Betsy), Charles Jackson (Emily), and Donna Jackson Nakazawa (Zenji); eight grandchildren (Chad, Courtney, Eric, Monica, Christian, Sam, Claire, and Carrie); two step-grandchildren (Chris, Becca); four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Sallie Benson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Walters Art Museum, where Marcia served as a docent for over a decade, at https://h1.nu/MarciaStrok.

Marcia Larsen Jackson Strok

November 2, 1932 - June 4, 2026