Lynne Robin Jackson

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Lynne went into the light after years of struggling with breast cancer. She died at home as she wanted, Jan. 17, 2025, with her husband, Tom, holding her hand. She was a warrior until the end, and she died with a smile on her face. 


Lynne was born in Rochester, N.H., to Richard C. Jackson and Patricia Horne Jackson. She attended Holderness School in New Hampshire and developed an unbounded passion for cooking. Lynne also loved sailing, flying, and caring for her dogs and cats. She was a voracious reader and may have read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. In the ’80s, Tom and Lynne lived in an artists’ loft in South Boston. They moved to another urban loft in downtown Biddeford, and then to a quieter, quainter place on the banks of the Saco River.

As a chef and cook, Lynne worked at Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; the F&T Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass.; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research; John Martin’s Merry Manor in South Portland; and Fancy That and Village Food Market, both in Ogunquit. As the owner of On The Corner Cafe in Biddeford, Lynne put smiles on many faces with her creative and wholesome food and catering.

Lynne was predeceased by her mother, Patricia Horne Jackson.

She is survived by her husband, Tom DeBruin of Port Charlotte, Fla. and their dog, Lizzie. She loved Adam DeBruin as her son, who lives with his wife Sarah Hamlyn in Islamarada, Fla. She is also survived by her father, Richard C. Jackson; her brother, Hank Jackson, and wife Mary Ellen; nephew, Ian Jackson, his wife, Jennifer, and daughters Chloe and Ariana; and nephew, Tyler Jackson, his wife Rebekah Eileen, and Miakoda, Piper, and Olin Peter.

Lynne was always up for an adventure. If you knew her and loved her, think of her when you drive the back roads, as she preferred.

We invite you to listen to Heather Maloney sing “Exploding Star” while you remember Lynne. In Lynne’s honor, practice love and kindness. So many people love you Lynnie—and always will.



“ARMS ALL AROUND”

for Lynne

by Lisa Moore, her friend


That radiant smile, those equine legs,
and strong hands that baked loaves and fishes.
Soups and slumps and catered feasts,
colorful scarves and beloved fur beasts,
campfires roar and sailboats cool,
orchids and hangars and Biddeford pools.
Today, I long for just one more call.
We love you Lynne, and now you rest
with arms around us all.



Optimism, spunk, and voracity,
your willingness, always, to share.
No wonder you were born on the day of love,
considering how much you care
for friends and family, books and truth.
Your love, it knew no bounds.
Our hearts are sad and soft and warm,
with your arms all around.



Barbara and Gwen and Chris and Sage,
Hank and Adam and Tom,
nieces and nephews, Patsy and Dick,
the list is a hundred miles long.
I hear your laughter, your terse advice.
I taste bread with your strawberry jam.
I smell roasted chicken with plenty o’ zest.
I feel you in who I am.



I will hold your hand in mine,
at the beach, in the woods, to the farms.
We remember each one of the days we shared,
forever around us, your arms.



She asked that anyone desiring to make donations in her memory make them to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.