Carmen Maria Jacobo

Carmen Maria Jacobo was born on February 1, 1951, in Mexico City to Jesus and Josefina Garcia of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Her birth was a difficult one; during labor, her mother prayed to Nuestra Señora del Carmen for a safe delivery and later named her Carmen in gratitude for her protection.

Carmen enjoyed a happy childhood in El Centro, California, alongside her siblings, Filemon, Manuel, Ruth, Ana Maria, and Elena. Some of her fondest memories included trips to Guadalajara to visit family, playing with dolls alongside her sisters, and spending hours outdoors with her siblings, climbing trees and playing jacks.

As she grew into adulthood, Carmen married her Central Union High School sweetheart, Ruben Jacobo, on June 16, 1972, after he returned from serving in Vietnam. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Christina Carmen and Alexandra Heidi. Carmen was a devoted and loving mother who took great joy in ensuring her girls experienced a happy and secure childhood. Her most treasured moments were those spent with family—gatherings after Sunday mass, Father’s Day celebrations in the Laguna Mountains, making tamales together during the holidays, and later, spending time with her cherished grandsons, Jacob and Jared.

Carmen was talented and creative, enjoying sewing, knitting, crocheting, drawing, and cooking. She was especially known for her frijoles de la olla, which her family fondly agrees were unmatched.

Carmen retired from a career as an administrative assistant with the Imperial County Department of Social Services. In 2015, she and Ruben relocated to Chula Vista to live closer to their daughters and grandsons.

Carmen was called to heaven on the morning of January 3, 2026 in Chula Vista, California. She was surrounded by her devoted husband, loving daughters, and sons-in-law.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Josefina Garcia, and her brothers, Filemon, Javier, and Jose de Jesus. She is survived by her husband, Ruben Jacobo; her daughters, Christina (Clint) Thielemann and Alexandra (Fernando) Jacobo-Mares; her grandsons, Jacob and Jared Thielemann; and her siblings, Manuel Garcia, Ruth Camarena, Ana Maria Witek, and Elena Alcazar, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Carmen’s legacy lives on in the love she poured into her family and in the quiet faith that guided her life and carried her home.

In memory of Carmen and her love for animals, please consider a donation to San Diego Humane Society instead of flowers.