Miss. Sylvia T. Jacobs

Sylvia Jacobs was a sweet lady cut of the warmest, kindest cloth who when younger and healthier, always volunteered her time, her effort and her love. She was many things to many people - a loving daughter, a doting aunt, a true and loyal friend. But more than anything, Sylvia was a wonderful example of the good in people. In 1910, Howard Taft was President and the United States was rapidly moving from a rural environment to an industrial powerhouse. Henry Ford provided the first affordable care and the Sunday drive became a national pastime. In the booming city of Chicago, Illinois , Lithuanian immigrants, Julius and Barbara Jacobs, were anxiously awaiting the birth of their second child. Already the proud parents of son, Paul, on June 20, 1910, their daughter, Sylvia, made her arrival into the world, much to their delight. Julius and Barbara owned and operated a boarding house and bar in the Chicago area, but lost both businesses in the Great Depression. Sylvia went to school in Chicago and graduated from high school. After Julius's death at a relatively young age, Barbara bought a farm in Hart, Michigan . Barbara, Paul, and Sylvia moved there. Aside from caring for her own family, Sylvia's mother was also a midwife for the surrounding area. Growing up during the Great Depression taught Sylvia to appreciate hard work and to be frugal, values that she lived by throughout her life. During the time of World War II, Sylvia moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where she found work at Norge, which eventually closed and moved to Arkansas . She then went to work at Comerica Bank (formerly Hackley Bank) as a Teller and was dedicated to this job until she retired at the age of 65. When it came to her leisure time, Sylvia enjoyed cooking, tending to her plants and flowers and she loved animals of all kinds. She was always very conscientious about her health, taking time to exercise and eat properly, which helped her live a long and full life. In her earlier years Sylvia loved to travel and she took many opportunities to visit old friends in Chicago and Arizona . A real "speed demon", Sylvia was known for her fast driving and "taking corners on two wheels." It was safe to say her driving kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Sylvia enjoyed taking her friends driving around town and to the former Gibb's Restaurant in Ludington for lunch. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas . Although Sylvia did not marry or have children of her own, she was very close with her nephew, Robert, who was like the son she never had. Their bond started already from birth as Sylvia watched her mother deliver him. It was truly heartbreaking for her when he died in 2004. Fiercely independent, Sylvia lived by herself at Hartford Terrace for many years. In fact, she was the first and longest continuous resident there. Unfortunately, when her health began to wane a few years ago, she was moved to a nursing home where she could receive the additional care she needed. Sylvia was a kind, caring lady with a very quick wit and good dry sense of humor. She loved to give back rubs and touch the hands of others even during her last days. She will be deeply missed. Sylvia T. Jacobs, age 95, died on Sunday, January 29, 2006. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Paul Jacobs, and her nephew, Robert Jacobs. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, February 3, at 12:10 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Sylvia, make a memorial contribution to the Christian Care Nursing Center Activity Fund or to a charity of your choice in her memory.