In a Facebook posting, Guthrie says his relationship with his wife was "a very great love." "We didn't always like each other," he stated. "From time to time there were moments when we'd have our bags packed by the door. But, there was this great love that we shared from the moment we met - a recognition - It's YOU! And we would always return to it year after year, decade after decade and I believe life after lifetime."
Jackie Guthrie was from Salt Lake City, UT and was raised in Malibu, CA. She met Arlo back in 1968 while she worked as a cashier at the Troubadour, the legendary Hollywood nightclub that was at the center of folk music at the time. Before they'd even met, Jackie walked into the dressing room and told Arlo's step brother that she would marry Arlo, according to an obituary, released Monday by Guthrie's record label, Rising Son Records.
in 1969 the two purchased a 250-acre property called "The Farm" in Washington, MA in the western part of the state and were married on the front lawn in October of that year.
The couple raised four children, and during the last few years the family toured together, with Jackie Guthrie as the toru videographer. This past summer, the family toured to celebrate the centennial birthday of Arlo's father, folk legend Woody Guthrie. During this run Jackie became so weak she could barely hold up the camera, according to the obituary. In September, she was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer.
On his website, Arlo Guthrie said his wife called her family to her bedside early Sunday and died later that morning. On his Facebook page, Arlo Guthrie announced he'd cancel or postpone several concert dates and but would begin a planned tour in Canada next week.
Jackie Guthrie is survived by her four children with Arlo Guthrie; her daughter with singer David Crosby; and ten grandchildren.
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