Veronica Jacobs

Born on August 21, 1938, in Czechoslovakia, Vera’s early childhood was shaped by the local effects of World War II. At just three years old, she was smuggled by a housekeeper to Hungary, where she lived in the Budapest ghetto with her aunt and cousin, separated from her parents. A Holocaust survivor, she carried that extraordinary history quietly for her whole life, sharing only bits and pieces when she felt able.

Vera emigrated to Argentina in 1947 with her surviving family, eventually settling in Buenos Aires. After graduating college she came to the United States in January 1961 to experience living in New York City.

In New York, Vera worked for the InterAmerican Safety Council and later for a dear friend’s cosmetics company while raising her family. In 1986, she began working as a Financial Aid Officer at Dover Business College in Paramus, New Jersey, where she remained for 18 years.

Vera was married to her loving husband, Stephen Jacobs, for 59 years. While both were living separately in New York City, they met on a trip to Bear Mountain in August 1965 and married two years later. That same year, Vera proudly became a United States citizen.

Above all else, she loved her family. She was the glue of a large, global family, keeping relatives connected across countries, continents and generations. She had a natural gift for bringing people together and making family feel close, no matter the distance.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen; her daughter, Valerie Kersting, and son-in-law, Joseph Kersting; her son, Daniel Jacobs, and daughter-in-law, Missy Jacobs; her brother, Roberto Eichenbaum; and her beloved grandchildren, Mychal and Ben Kersting, and Lily and Sam Jacobs. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Mariana Plohn. Vera was the daughter of Herminia Fried and Ludwig Steiner; after the war, Armin Eichenbaum became her step father.

To her grandchildren, she was GRAMMY. She was encouraging, generous and fiercely devoted to them, always wanting the very best for each of them. Being part of their lives brought her enormous joy.

Vera was loving, funny, independent, strong, hardworking, open-minded, proper, intellegent and street smart. She could be reserved, but she was also social and fun. She was a worrywart, a fighter and a survivor in every sense of the word.

She loved entertaining and was a master hostess who knew how to make a gathering feel special. She was also a master chef, particularly well known for her brisket, and a talented seamstress. Cooking for her family and sharing dinner around the table were among the things she treasured most.

Vera was fluent in Hungarian, Spanish and English, reflecting the many places and cultures that were part of her life. Hungarian had a way of making an appearance when she was especially frustrated, and her occasional trouble with English idioms became part of the family lore.

Bridge was a big part of Vera’s life, as were her book clubs and the friendships they brought her. She was fortunate to have many close friendships throughout her life and treasured the people who shared them with her. She loved to travel, especially to see family in Buenos Aires, Hungary and Australia. She remained deeply connected to Buenos Aires and also traveled to places including China, Tibet and New Zealand. Some of her favorite memories were made on family trips.

Vera also had a particular soft spot for babies. She delighted in every new baby who joined the extended family, and if she passed a carriage on the street, chances were she would stop to admire its smallest passenger. Babies seemed equally drawn to her.

She loved shopping, especially for pocketbooks, and was always on the hunt for the elusive pair of shoes that could somehow be both comfortable and fashionable.

Her Jewish community was very important to her. Vera was actively involved with Temple Beth El in Closter, New Jersey, where she served as the temple’s liaison to college students.

She also remained closely connected to Hungary through family and followed events there throughout her life. Having lived through the atrocities of the Holocaust as a young girl, she understood on a personal level the dangers of antisemitism and remained attentive to its rise around the world.

Vera lived a life shaped by extraordinary history, but she was never defined only by what she survived. She built a life filled with family, friendship, travel, tradition, laughter, good food and connection. To those who loved her, she was a devoted daughter, wife, mom, grammy, sister, aunt and friend, and she will be deeply missed.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Kol Dorot, 385

Howland Avenue, River Edge, New Jersey, with burial to follow.

Shiva will follow at 40 Forsgate Court, Township of Washington, New Jersey, and will continue on Saturday, October 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

May her memory be a blessing.