Mary George Jacobs

Born in 1920 of Lebanese immigrants, Anthony and Nassira George, Mary and her four brothers and sisters (Peter, Julia, Rose and Paul) grew up in a Lebanese neighborhood in Michigan City, Indiana. They spoke Arabic as their first language and learned English as they entered school. Mary often spoke of how nice it was to live in a city that bordered Lake Michigan where the beach was right around the corner.

In 1937, Mary graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Michigan City as the salutatorian of her class. She went on to work, with her sisters, to help put their brothers through college. She worked as a secretary through World War II.

Mary met her husband, John Francis Jacobs, at a USO dance while he was stationed near Lake Michigan as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. That evening, Mary and her younger sister Rose each met the men who would be their husbands for over 50 years.

Mary and John (Jack) were married in 1946 and began their family while Jack finished college. In the early 50s, they moved their growing family to the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, where Jack finished his education. Later they owned homes in Natick and Framingham, where they raised their family of four sons and two daughters.

Mary’s passions were her children (and their education), antique furniture, a good bargain, and gardening as well as helping her husband create a career in the early high technology industry as one of the founders of MITRE Corporation in Bedford, MA.

Mary, Jack and the kids bought a summer home in West Harwich in 1960, and this house became another passion. She spent hours each day creating what her children and many neighbors believe is the largest concentration of hydrangeas on the Cape.

Anyone who knew Mary will remember her as a strong, loyal, vivacious, and at times fiery lady who never hesitated to express her opinion. Her children think of her as their own Lebanese “Tiger” mom. One son, Rick, calls her a “force of nature.”

She is survived by her children, Jack and his wife Libby, Patti, Jamie, Rick and his wife Trish, Connie and her husband Ron Swanson, and Joel and his wife Jill Tobacco, and her grandchildren: Shellie, John, Patrick, Kevin, Owen, Tessa, Zoe, Natalie and Mei Lien and her two great grandchildren, Jacob and Allysa.

Donation may be made in memory of Mary George Jacobs to the local chapter of the Alzhemer's Association by sending a checks (with "In Memory of Mary Jacobs" in the memo line) to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Or by calling 1-800-272-3900.