Jackie Gibson Alper died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 at the age of 86. She had been in a Massachusetts nursing home for some time and in failing health. Her son George had just visited, and her daughter Jaye and son-in-law Edward were at her side.

Jackie's was a remarkable life, and I'm counting on Mudcatters and guests who knew her to share their knowledge and remembrances of it.

Jackie's musical/political career (the two were never separate) embraced the Priority Singers, the WW II Roosevelt administration, the Henry Wallace presidential campaign of 1948, the Weavers (she was the fifth member of the original group), active opposition to the political witch hunts of the McCarthy era, support of hundreds of singers, music events and venues, the establishment of "Mostly Folk" in 1971 (a radio show on WRPI in Troy, New York which she began, which she hosted until 1993 and which continues to this day).

She was a friend, supporter and instigator of so many who loved the music, the life and progressive causes that it is hard to imagine a world without her.