Louise Jacobson: A Remembrance

This section includes both obituaries and memories. Honoring our loved ones who have died does not end immediately after their passing. We recognize that… so we’re extending our obituary section to include individuals who may have left a long time ago. If you want to remember someone who is gone, either recently or longer ago, please send a photo and your memories to [email protected].

Louise Jacobson January 21, 1945-June 22, 2018

“My name is Louise Jacobson and I died at the age of 73 from terminal Chronic Kidney Disease. I decided to write my own obituary, not because I really wanted to, but because my daughter asked me to. I was born in Chicago in January 1945 and was raised there. I moved to Los Angeles in 1969 and retired to Eureka in 2007.

I lived a great life, worked hard, played hard and had a great time looking for love. I tried to do the best I could. Sometimes I was successful, but more times I fell short, but I never stopped trying. For all my craziness, dirty jokes and complaints, nothing brought me greater joy than meeting new people and trying to help those I could. I can play the “sin” game with you all and win over most, but my heart never closed on my ability to love. I’ve done things wrong and said things wrong and regret the hurts I have caused, but I take great pride in the good I have done and in the wonderful human being and lady I raised, my wonderful daughter Danielle and the two beautiful granddaughters that have extended my life, Skylar and Zoey.

Those of you who loved me, assisted me, cared for me, laughed with me, cried with me and taught me how to be a better person giving me a wonderful life, I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am to have had you in my life. You are all what made my life worthwhile.

If you think of me and would like to do something in honor of my memory do this:

-Volunteer at a school, church, library or a local non-profit.

-Write (in cursive) a letter to someone who is keeping you safe by defending our flag and country.

-If you smoke-Quit.

-If you drink and drive-Stop.

-Forgive someone who does not deserve it.

-Stop at every lemonade stand you see ran by kids and tell them how great their lemonade is.

-When you go out to eat, look for someone eating alone who you can pay for.

Make someone smile or laugh because you have the power to make their life better. In other words, join the Pay-it-Forward movement and actively look for ways to keep its momentum in high gear.

Now eat, drink and party in celebration of the life I fought hard to live. I love you all.”

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Here are some other things you should know about my wonderful mother and the beautiful life that she lived. Mom worked hard in the medical field throughout her life doing phlebotomy and autopsy work at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and later working with the call center at Unilab and Kaiser Permanete. She also followed her passion and opened her own catering business, Jacobson’s Catering, for many years which she had to eventually give up due to her medical issues. Eventually her health required three, six-hour weekly sessions of dialysis which she handled with strength and courage, fighting for four years after her diagnosis.

She worked tirelessly for several non-profits and was extremely proud of her accomplishments and serving on the board of many of these organizations. She spent time working in Los Angeles free health clinics and worked with O.R.T. (Organizations for Rehabilitation through Training) to raise money to build vocational schools in distressed regions around the world. She also worked with V.D.A.D. (Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters). She served as President of the Humboldt Domestic Violence Awareness Services (HDVS) and was a member of the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, the Humboldt Area Foundation Steering Committee, NORCAN and the Humboldt County Chapter of the Grand Jury Association.

In her retirement, she selflessly gave her time to many important causes and her resources to her family and those in need. Some of mom’s proudest moments were using half of her small pension check to support her daughter’s business ventures and the other half to pay for her wedding. She was happiest when everyone was fed-one time feeding a 40-unit apartment building that was full of families in need after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Mom loved nothing more than feeding and taking care of people. Everyone called her mom. Her house was like everyone’s home. It was always a safe and open place for her daughter and her friends. All the kids were always hanging out at her house, and she was always ready and willing to feed every last one of them.

She is loved and survived by many people including, most importantly, her only child Danielle Jacobson-Elcock, and her grand-daughters Skylar Elcock and Zoey Elcock who were her whole world. She is also survived by what she commonly referred to as her “other” kids Lucy Bermudez, Anthony Thomas, Elizabeth Blanco Canales, Megan Buck, and Christie Cedarstaff and too many others to list here.

Her family will hold a private remembrance, celebration in her honor this June.

Danielle Jacobson