Louise Adele Jayson

Louise Adele Jacobs Jayson, mother, wife, gardener, exceptional baker, world traveler, and award-winning artist, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 14 after a brief illness. Mrs. Jayson was born in Fort Worth to Julius and Fannie Jacobs, as the younger of two daughters. Along with her older sister Helen, she enjoyed taking care of the beloved family dogs Spot and Tippy. The family moved briefly to Amarillo before returning to Fort Worth. She was a graduate of Fort Worth Paschal High School and Texas Christian University, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from TCU. Mrs. Jayson married Robert Jayson on July 11, 1954. Throughout her life, she talked about the record-setting 111 degree temperature in Fort Worth on her wedding day. The Jaysons raised three daughters in the North Dallas house she lovingly made a home for the family. Her culinary skills were central to the family's celebrations, and her famous chip-and-date cake was a year-round favorite. Mrs. Jayson spent many hours tending her garden, meticulously nurturing her rose bushes and phlox, and keeping a watchful eye on a magnolia tree she planted in the front yard. She flourished as an artist, creating works appreciated and displayed by many. Mrs. Jayson worked in oils and pastels, and was an accomplished china painter and a member of multiple art guilds. Her works won first-place honors at statewide competitions. She also enjoyed needlepoint. Mrs. Jayson traveled extensively across many countries on five continents. In each, she enjoyed absorbing local cultures, traditions, and arts. Her husband and she sailed on 44 cruises. In other travels, she ventured into an Egyptian pyramid and the jungles of Nepal, and she climbed the Great Wall of China. Bali was her favorite spot. Mrs. Jayson read the sports pages and was a devoted Cowboys fan. Emmitt Smith was her favorite player. She also was a lifelong fan of the TCU Horned Frogs and reveled in their success in recent years. For many years, she was a volunteer at Golden Acres. Mrs. Jayson was a longtime member of Congregation Shearith Israel and a life member of Hadassah. Her husband Robert predeceased her in 2006. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Sharon and Ken Herman of Austin and Denise and Max Kelfer of Plano; daughter Melinda Jayson of Dallas; grandchildren Tracey and Ben Shababo of Oakland, Jeremy Herman of Atlanta, and Josh Kelfer and Ethan Kelfer, both of Plano; great-granddaughter Noa July Shababo; and several nieces and nephews. Donations in her memory can be made to Congregation Shearith Israel.