May 7, 1938 – October 11, 2024

Mary “Joan” Jacobs passed away peacefully next to her beloved husband of 67 years, Tom Jacobs, at Eskaton Village Assisted Living in Grass Valley, California. Joan was a mother of four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She was the eldest of three children including her twin brother, Jack, and younger sister, Ann of George and Mary Devlin.

Joan was raised in San Francisco, where she attended Star of the Sea Catholic School with her siblings. One of her favorite activities as a child was dressing up to go shopping with her aunt Ann Devlin, taking the Geary bus to downtown San Francisco. From there, she attended Mercy High School in the city and transferred to Mercy High School Burlingame after the sudden passing of her father. It was on a Catholic retreat bus ride that she first met Tom Jacobs and invited him to her junior prom. Three short years later, on January 18th, 1957, they were married at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Tom and Joan soon had four children, whom they raised in Millbrae, CA.

The Jacobs family sent their children to St Dunstan Catholic School, Mercy High School Burlingame, and Serra High School. All her children went on to college and graduated in their various specialties. Tom and Joan settled in Grass Valley, CA and became active members of St Patrick Catholic Church for the past 20 years. Coincidentally, Joan was a distant descendent of the old guard Idaho miners, the Joseph McGrath family.

Throughout their married life, Tom and Joan have always been active in their local Catholic community. Joan taught kindergarten at St Dunstans Catholic School in Millbrae for over 15 years. She also served with music ministry, youth ministry, altar guild, Marriage Encounter, and Eucharistic Ministry at the hospital. Joan was also devoted to Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday afternoons at St Patricks Church in Grass Valley. Additionally, she was a strong, lifelong swimmer, first learning her basics at San Franciscos Fleishhacker Pool as a young girl with her siblings and friends.

Joan will be remembered for her quiet, gentle ways. She expressed her love of people with a smile and cared for them through her service. She and Tom will always be known as the cute couple who welcomed visitors with hospitality and encouragement to become involved with the community. Tom and Joan were deeply passionate and proud of all their grandchildren, and they planned the biennial Jacobs Family Reunion at Donner Lake for many years.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations made to Mt Saint Marys Academy Catholic School in Grass Valley in honor of Joans memory.

A Catholic mass will be offered by Pastor Rev. Alexander Estrella, Parochial Vicar Father Davis, and Deacon Richard Soria at St. Patricks Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 23 at 10:30 am. Preceding mass will be a rosary at 9:45 am in the church. St Patricks is located at 235 Chapel St, Grass Valley, CA. All are welcome.

Reception for all guests following the funeral in the Parish Hall.