Obituary of Mary Regina Jacobs
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dearest Mary Regina (Jeannie) Jacobs of St. Catharines, ON, who passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 79 years.
Beloved wife of Bill Jacobs, much loved mother to Alison (John) and Jeff (predeceased, 2023) and adored grandmother to Clara, Sawyer, Sam, Josie and Liam. Jeannie was predeceased by her father, Eugene Dupuis and her mother, Margaret Dupuis. She had a deep connection with her sister, Barb Poulin; her brother, the late John Dupuis; her sisters-in-law, Barb Van Velzer (Claude, predeceased) and the late Elizabeth Gormandy. She had a special relationship with all of her nieces and nephews and extended family.
Jeannie was born in New Brunswick and raised in the Windsor area. She obtained an English degree, a Teacher Education degree and a Master's in Religious Education. She spent 50 years in Belleville, ON, with her husband Bill and was an active member of the St. Joseph's Church community.
Her 57-year marriage to Bill, often envied, was a beautiful dance of love and support, space when needed and lots of laughter.
Jeannie began her teaching career at the age of 21 and was a gifted teacher, often supporting students who were lonely, lost and needed some extra guidance. She was patient and kind and always listened when a student presented her with a problem.
Jeannie had the soul of a life-long learner. There was no book she wouldn't devour, no topic she wouldn't discuss and no perspective she wouldn't listen to. In fact, her grandchildren thought she knew 'half of everything in the world.' Her favourite thing to do was to have a conversation with her grandchildren, whether it was a FaceTime chat from BC or a quiet conversation from her special chair.
For Jeannie, there was a blur between family and friends. Friends were lifelong and family-like, and she treated family as though she chose and cherished them every day. In her last week, every night before she went to sleep, she asked, 'Everyone knows that I love them, right?' And they did.
Jeannie is now at peace after a long, hard fight with cancer. She handled every twist and turn gracefully; charming every nurse and doctor providing care. She passed from this world with the ease and grace that she lived her life.
Friends and family are invited to join a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St, St. Catharines, ON. Visitation will occur at 12 pm, followed by a service at 1 pm.
For those unable to attend the memorial service, please click the following link to view the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_woFhuip6cY
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Juravinski Cancer Centre (https://www.hamiltonhealth.ca/donate) or Wellspring Niagara (https://wellspring.ca/niagara/ways-to-give/).