Dr. Jacqueline Anson, a beloved member of the Central Methodist University faculty, passed away suddenly at her home on November 22. Anson was 57 years old.
Anson, who joined the CMU faculty in August of 2012, was a committed and passionate teacher who had a positive impact on countless students. As an associate professor of psychology, she worked tirelessly to help each of her students reach their full potential.
“Those who knew Jackie will remember her as a force of nature. Her authenticity and intellectual curiosity made her a favorite in the classroom as well as an amazing friend. She will be deeply missed by family, co-workers, friends, and former students,” said Carrie Strodtman, Anson’s close friend and the CMU Director of Digital Learning.
Jacqueline Marie Anson was born January 12, 1963, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Joseph and Janice Fellin. She attended middle school in Fayette before graduating from high school in Illinois. Her love for learning and exploring new ideas led her to receiving master’s and doctorate degrees in social psychology, from the University of Colorado and the University of Rochester, respectively.
Upon earning her doctorate, Anson accepted a position at Central, where she would come to be known and appreciated for her honesty and openness in the classroom. She was also working to form a new psychology research lab for students who shared her love of conducting research.
Anson is survived by her husband of 31 years, Ned Anson; daughter Alison (Benjamin) Gregory of Boulder, Colo.; her parents, Joseph and Janice (DeWerff) Fellin of Waterloo, Ill.; sister, Jody Garstang of Waterloo, Ill.; and nephew, Logan Garstang of Waterloo, Ill.
A memorial service honoring the life of Dr. Jackie Anson will be held at a later date, at the convenience of the family.
The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the following address to finish building the research lab she started:
Dr. Jacqueline M. Anson Psychology Research Lab at CMU, in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.