Marjorie Howard Jacobs

Marjorie (Marge) Howard Jacobs 11-18-27 to 1-12-18 Marge was born in New York City, NY. She was the daughter of Lucille Bournes of Easkey, Ireland and Charles Howard, Jr. of Gardiner, ME. Her older sister was Frances (Bob) Betts and her younger brother was Charles (Carmen) Howard, III She married the love of her life and High School sweetheart Donald Jacobs December 28, 1949. All have predeceased Marge. Marge had three adult children: Dan (Peg) Jacobs, Nancy Jacobs-Dilley and Susan/Sukie (Tim) Benoit. In addition, she also had a foreign exchange daughter Liz (Dag Moknes) Lund. The four children gave her ten grandchildren Jen, Shannon, Jocelyn, Jake, Margo, BJ, Joe, Tom, Dag K and Fredrik and six great grandchildren. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who she played an important part in their lives. Marge received her RN from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, ME and after marrying Don they settled in St. Johnsbury, VT where she started for a short time as the school nurse. Marge then worked for the Brightlook Hospital as a delivery nurse. Any who knew her, knew there wasn’t a crying baby around she wouldn’t go pick up, whether she had been introduced to the parents or not! They lived there from 1950 to 1970. They were members of the St. Andrew Episcopalian Church and enjoyed being part of the St. Johnsbury Academy staff. She was active as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie volunteer and any other roll she could get involved with that supported her children or husband. She was a great cook, seamstress/knitter/crafter, avid bridge player, and party planner extraordinaire. In 1970, she and Don moved to Kents Hill, ME where Don was Headmaster of Kents Hill School until 1990 when he retired. She was the social center of the school for the faculty wives and families of the students regularly hosting teas and Christmas parties. Don and Marge were members of the local church and active in the community. Marge continued her higher education while in Kents Hill after her children married and received her Bachelors in Psychology from Thomas College. She was the consummate surrogate mother to staff and students alike providing a shoulder to lean on, a patient ear when they needed someone to listen and a willingness to spoon out advice to those in need of it. In 1990 when Don retired from KHS they moved to Tampa, FL for half the year and half the year at Joes Pond, VT at the family’s summer cottage. The Florida half of the year allowed her to be an active part of two of her granddaughters’ lives. When in Vermont she donated her time, talents and motherly advice to the prisoners of the local penitentiary where she taught the men how to make tee shirts and sweat shirts for their children. She received an awarded from the Governor for her efforts. Her greatest gift was probably as a grandmother. She took in all of her grandchildren for one week of the summer and made their lives extra special taking them on annual excursions to Santa’s Village, Whales Tales and Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. One of her granddaughters when asked, like Tinker Bell would, where her “Happy Place” was, would say at her grandmother’s (and grandfather’s) place at Joes Pond. The Joes Pond cottages name was ‘Happy Daze’ and indeed for the family Grammy and Grampy’s cottage was everyone’s ‘Happy Place’. She will be dearly missed by all who came in touch with her, but most especially her loving family. Those wishing to recognize her life can send a memorial in her name to your local dementia or Alzheimer research organization or the American Cancer Society. The family will have a memorial service for her this summer when the family is at Joes Pond.