PORTLAND — Carmelita “Carmie” Dorothy Botto-Jackson, 85, died Aug. 21 at The Cedars Nursing Home.

She was born Aug. 1, 1930, in Portland, to Joseph Anthony Botto and Dorothy Carmelita Jordan. Growing up, Carmelita enjoyed spending summers on Peaks Island. She was a 1948 graduate of Portland High School.

She was married to Donald Jackson from 1949-1982, and together they raised a family in Scarborough. She found great joy in being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also continued to enjoy spending time on Peaks Island, baking (especially apple pie), and working diligently as an employee of Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland for over 25 years.

Earlier this year, Botto-Jackson shared her love of dancing in an interview on Maine public radio about the use of music in treating memory problems. As a young woman, she danced “any place there was a dance hall, or any place there were dances,” she said.

“Music is good for people … Older or younger, it doesn’t make any difference,” she added.

Botto-Jackson was predeceased by a brother, Thomas J. Botto; a daughter, Dona M. Jackson; and two grandchildren, Charles Jackson Curley and Courtney Rose Jackson.

She is survived by five children: Donald Jackson Jr. and his wife, Molly, of Scarborough; David Jackson and his wife, Deborah, of Scarborough; Darlene Jackson Curley and her husband Bruce, of New York City; Debra Jackson Whitcomb and her husband, Richard, of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Dorothy Jackson, of Bradenton, Florida. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Kyle Jackson, of Scarborough; Adam Jackson, of Kennebunk; Andrew Curley and his wife, Stefanie, of Chicago; Peter Curley and his wife, Stephanie, of San Francisco; Grace Curley Wilson and her husband, Eric, of Salt Lake City; Dianne Jackson, of Sarasota, Florida; Melissa Jackson and her fiance, Ian Crossman, of Buxton; Erica Jackson, of Scarborough; and Matthew Whitcomb, of Hollywood, California. Survivors also include three great-grandchildren, Charles and Jack Curley, of San Francisco, and Skylar Crossman, of Buxton.

At the request of Botto-Jackson, there will be no memorial service.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Cedars Music & Memory Program, c/o The Cedars Development Office, 360 Ocean Ave., Portland ME 04103.