Cara was born in Oklahoma City, October 22, 1943 to Jack and Helen Jackson. While Jack was fighting in WWII Cara and her mother lived in Panhandle, TX with her Aunt Oneta Miller whose husband was also away in the war. They had two cows to provide them with fresh milk which Cara greatly preferred over store bought milk, chickens for eggs, and a feed store to make ends meet. Although the times were difficult, Cara loved living in Panhandle. She grew close to her Aunt and her cousin Mary Lou, becoming life-long friends. Mary Lou later played the piano at Cara’s wedding.

After the war Cara and her family moved back to Oklahoma City where she attended US Grant High School along with the neighborhood paper boy David Mizirl. Cara used to pay the paper bill in pennies so he would have to stand there longer and wait for her to count it out. Sometimes, you lose count and have to start all over.

David and Cara were married December 8,1962 and would have celebrated their 64th anniversary this year. They had three daughters, Michel, Christina and Cassandra.

Cara attended the University of Oklahoma earning a degree in journalism and education in 1982. She did it the hard way, earning a degree while raising three girls, setting a good example for her daughters to follow.

After graduation Cara taught high school English at West Moore High School. Over time she moved to teaching AP English. She was involved with the teacher’s union and she eventually became president of the Moore Association of Classroom Teachers. She loved helping her students achieve their highest potential, always expecting more from them but always willing to help when necessary.

She was a big Dodgers fan and had a running competition with her daughter Christina who is Brewers fan. She also loved tennis, Tour de France, and Formula 1 racing.

Cara enjoyed spending time at the lake with David on their sailboat the Cara C, caring for her gardens and sharing her wisdom with her grandchildren: Titania, Branna, Max, Aubrey and Myles.

She loved fiercely and fought hard for those she loved. She was a loyal and honest friend and an amazing mother. Her passing leaves a great hole in our soul but perhaps we can fill it with the sight and scent of yellow tulips, her favorite flower.