Kristin (Gotsch) Jackson
Kristin will be terribly missed, but her gratitude, cheerful sacrifice for others, and contentment with where she was at any moment in time throughout her entire life, serves as a great example for us all.
Obituary
After a courageous 16-month battle with ovarian cancer, where she endured constant treatment, multiple surgeries, and tremendous pain, with unwavering strength and a positive spirit, Kristin Erica (Gotsch) Jackson peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was 54 years old.
Kristin was born on June 26th, 1971, to the proud parents of Norman and Nancy Gotsch, and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. She attended Barrington High School, whereby all accounts, her upbringing alongside her two younger brothers, Geoff and Tim Gotsch, was not unlike the John Hughes, Chicago-based comedic movies of the 1980s that Kristin thoroughly enjoyed watching. It was during this initial time and then on throughout the remainder of her life, that her fun-loving, sunny disposition, combined with a genuine affection and care for others, would create a multitude of lifelong friendships.
Upon her graduation in 1989, Kristin enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University where she would meet her future husband, Nate Jackson, and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While there, she continued to add to her court of lifelong friends as a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, a representative of the school’s homecoming court, and being named the Sigma Chi fraternity “Sweetheart.”
Upon graduation in 1993, Kristin married Nate and began her career as a pediatric RN, which started with her taking the daily commuter train into Chicago while working at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park. Over the course of a 20-year plus career, she developed close friendships with many of her fellow nurses, cheerfully treating and caring for countless young patients, bringing many to full recovery from the same cancer affliction that ultimately took her own life.
Throughout their marriage of nearly 32 years, Kristin’s devotion to her faith, family, and friends, was always present, no matter where they called home, which included Barrington, Wheaton, and St. Charles in Illinois, Simpsonville, South Carolina (just outside of Greenville), and eventually Franklin, Tennessee (near Nashville). At each one of these stops, Kristin continued to build upon her social circle of lifelong friends through her natural and unassuming charm. Also consistent in her life was her love of the Lord and commitment to contributing to his work here on Earth. As part of that commitment throughout the family’s various home relocations, Kristin was a proud and active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church in Illinois, First Baptist Simpsonville in South Carolina, and Brentwood Baptist in Tennessee.
In a life filled with an overabundance of blessings, Kristin’s greatest joy was the birth of her two daughters, Sophia Grace (25) and Catherine Jane (23). Kristin absolutely loved being a mother and cherished the many fond memories made throughout Sophia and Catey Jane’s upbringing. These included their enrollment at Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church’s Ark Preschool, summers at Covenant Harbor camp in Lake Geneva, family events at Dunham Woods Riding & Tennis Club, Sophia competing at the Illinois state track meet, Catey playing cello in both the Elgin and Vanderbilt Youth Symphonies, Sophia joining her mom in equestrian events, cheering Catey on as she won multiple tennis tournaments, and attending many Clemson football games together.
Kristin was a lover of life and for anyone who knew her, they were better for it. This included her enjoyment in providing invaluable support to Nate at various business functions throughout his professional career, as well as the close relationships she built later in life in Nashville, that included her Hillsboro Hounds horse riding friends who she adored and cherished.
She is survived by her husband, Nate, and their two daughters, Sophia and Catey, along with her parents Norm and Nancy Gotsch, and her two brothers Geoff and Tim Gotsch.
Kristin will be terribly missed, but her gratitude, cheerful sacrifice for others, and contentment with where she was at any moment in time throughout her entire life, serves as a great example for us all.
Gallery
Memory wall
Mark and I were so surprised to see the announcement of Kristin's homegoing. She was a bright light to those around her! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our hearts go out to you.
We felt like we had known Kristin for years from the first time we met her at church. She was beautiful inside and out. We loved her bubbly personality and especially her big warm smile. She fought so hard every step of the way. We're sure her faith and spirit touched so many people; it certainly did us. We thought her obituary was beautiful.
Sending all our love and prayers to all of you. We pray that knowing Kristin is at peace and rest with Jesus in Heaven and reminiscing about all the wonderful memories you have of times spent with her will give you some comfort and with time help to take away some of the sadness you are feeling.
We will greatly miss her. Our heartfelt condolences.
Roger & Kay Grisham
Nancy and Dick
Thankfully, she was a believer and we'll have a reunion. Strength and comfort by His spirit Nate, Sophie, Catie, Nancy, Norm.
Peace and love.
Cathie and John Dolcini
Your friendship has been an absolute blessing in my life and of our 9 West colleagues. You will forever be the Grace Kelly in our group of Hooligans, with your impeccable presence of light and generosity. You will be greatly missed, my friend. It has been a true honor to have you in my life, working along side you as young nurses, and growing up with you. We’ll keep an eye out for Nate and the girls for you! XOXO
Rest is paradise mom knowing that we will always miss you so much and celebrate you and the wonderful life you lived. You were such a wonderful woman,so strong and powerful in your own way and I was truly just blessed to be in your presence and exist at the same time as you and your family♥️
Service
777 Concord Road. Brentwood, TN 37027
5201 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027
Please join us for a come-and-go gathering to remember and celebrate Kristin, anytime between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. We’ll share memories, enjoy light fare, and honor the joy she brought to our lives.
Please RSVP by 8/20/2025
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