Tributes have been paid to Stirling’s first ever MSP, Sylvia Jackson, described as “one of the nicest and most generous politicians ever to serve in the Scottish Parliament”.
Sylvia died last week, aged 76, in Winchester Hospice.
Her family said she had been having treatment for cancer since last year, and died peacefully and quickly after her treatment ceased to be effective.
Sylvia was born in Willingham in Lincolnshire, the only daughter of Herbert Woodforth and Lucy Franklin. She was educated at Brigg High School for Girls, and went on to the University of Hull, where she earned a degree in Chemistry and a Master’s Degree in Education.
While at Hull, she met Michael Jackson, whom she married in 1970.
Michael’s distinguished academic career took them to Lancaster, where Sylvia was awarded a Ph.D. for her research into education, and then to Stirling, where Michael became the university’s Senior Deputy Principal and a professor specialising in industrial relations.
Sylvia taught chemistry in Cumbernauld and Alva before beginning a career in teacher training at Moray House in Edinburgh and as a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. In this period she wrote and co-wrote a series of popular chemistry textbooks for schools.
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Michael and Sylvia were both involved in Labour Party politics in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, and in 1999, Sylvia was elected Labour MSP for Stirling. She was re-elected in 2003, but narrowly defeated in 2007.
Sylvia had a deserved reputation as an assiduous and very approachable constituency MSP, and was highly regarded across all parties in the Scottish Parliament, where she was convener of the subordinate legislation committee, responsible for the detailed scrutiny of all laws passing through the Parliament.
She was awarded an honorary degree from Stirling University in 2009, in recognition of outstanding service to the community of Stirling constituency.
She pursued a wide range of interests, campaigning for example on animal welfare, affordable housing, and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and she remained active in the community for a number of years after her terms in Edinburgh.
In later years she moved to Yorkshire and subsequently to Hampshire, to be near her family.
In her retirement years, she developed skills in photography, designing and exhibiting her photographs and abstract designs.
She travelled widely and enjoyed her family and friends.
Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, husband and eldest granddaughter, and leaves a daughter, Karen, a son, Callum and granddaughter Bethan as well as many good friends.
Her family said: “She lived a good, full and happy life, and will be deeply missed by those who loved her.”
As yet no funeral arrangements have been finalised.
