Mary Jane Lammons Jacobs

Mary Jane Lammons Jacobs November 29, 1926 ~ March 26, 2011 84 Glorious Years! A Hawaiian girl at heart. Born Mary Jane Lammons on November 29, 1926, to John and Aurelia Lammons in Kansas City, Missouri. Her Dad was in the hotel restaurant business and her Mom was a homemaker and "Gold Star Mother." Brothers Jim and Perry served in World War II and, tragically, they would lose Perry in an aircraft accident in the Hawaiian Islands. Mom married William Paul Jacobs in 1945 and later that year gave birth to Patty Lee, their first of eight children. To follow were Karen Lynn, Deborah Ann (whom they lost shortly afterwards), Sally Ann, Paula Sue, William Perry, Kathryn Jean and John Paul. Mom's husband (our Dad) was a career Air Force officer (Colonel) and jet pilot ï¿½ï¿½" this meant untold moves during this time ï¿½ï¿½" all the while Mom packing, unpacking and making each house a home. Mom kept us all well fed with her home cooking, nourished our souls with love and affection and preached to each tolerance, gratefulness and the Golden Rule "¦"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Mom always had an artistic and creative bent to her but it wasn't until we were stationed in Hawaii in 1966-1972 that Mom picked up a paintbrush and put oil to canvas. She was part owner in the Kahala Mall Co-op Art Gallery and became quite well known and successful ï¿½ï¿½" not only for her oil works but for other mediums as well such as black sand portraits. This artistic side to her took a turn when we moved to Longwood in 1972. Mom would channel her creativity in decorating her home with the many knick knacks she would collect and display throughout. It was nice to grow up in the house decorated like she did. It reflected the many sides of her. As one of her best friend's Madeleine said of her, "She was an artist who depicted the beauty of life through her art." Mom began to work with old time friend Alice Miller, with whom she knew from Hawaii during the last years of being Air Force career wives. Alice and Bob moved here in early 1972 and us shortly afterwards. Alice opened Alice Miller Interiors and invited Mom to be a part of what would become a highly sought after, award winning group of very talented interior designers. During this time Mom once again put paintbrush to canvas but now signed her creations "BiGass' " ï¿½ï¿½" an inside joke and play on the painter Edgar DeGas'. Mom was very talented in her work, but what shone through with whom she worked and met was her kindness, understanding and love. Mom was non-judgmental and accepted and loved you for who you were. All who met Mom loved and adored her so. Mom loved working there, however it was her co-workers, who were her friends, that she loved and was the true reason she worked there every day"¦"¦Alice, Kathy, Jerry, Hank, Steve, Brian, Jimmy, Butch, Gill, Alberto, Christina, Lynn, Angela, Raif, Laura, Beverly, Lee, Ann, John, Pauline and Lynn. She truly loved them all. Mom worked there until 2004 when she retired to take care of our Dad until his passing later that year. They were married 59 years! After her retirement Mom stayed busy with her home, crosswords she loved (NOT SODOKU!), walking, picking flowers, visiting her dear friends Irmgard and Madeleine and especially talking with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom's grandchildren are Heather, Jason, Alisha, Jessica, Jacob, Chris, Jason, Malia and Nick. Great Grandchildren included Katie, Mikee and Jedadiah. Tragically, we would lose Patty and Billy's son Jason in 1988 at age 13 and then sadly their daughter Jessica 20 years later in 2008. It was during these times Mom's strength of support and love helped guide not only Patty and Billy through these terrible times, but all of us as well. She was more than our Mom, Tutu, Toots and Great Tutu"¦.she was a friend and confidant. And she loved dearly her sons-in-law: Billy, Bruce, Fred, Mike and Brent. As Billy said, "She was the coolest woman." She was the Mother-in-law you WANTED to move in and not leave! Mom's zest for life and her "Go for it!" attitude helped her battle the health issues she would encounter. Never one to complain, she would say "things could always be worse". Forever looking on the bright side of life she was ï¿½ï¿½" and is ï¿½ï¿½" a source of inspiration for all who knew and loved her. We all are the better because of her. To know Mom you also had to know that (besides you and us) she LOVED mice, shells, wood, reading, candles, the Geico gecko ("he's so cute!"), flowers (particularly red hibiscus which she would pick every day and put next to Jason and Jessica's pictures), anything made from ï¿½ï¿½" or the color of ï¿½ï¿½" turquoise, anything miniature, handmade things, her pets (dogs, cats, and a white rat named Charlene), pictures of all children, anything Hawaiian, and of course, Hawaii. Nature was her favorite medium. For 38 years she lived at her home in Longwood surrounded by many neighbors she called friends. Blessed that she had friends in Sandy and Mike and their grandson Jeffrey, Joan, John and Dottie, Robin and Mike, Irmgard, Uwe and Mark and especially his daughter Marika were close to her heart. And then there was Madeleine, her soul sister, and Ron. Madeleine would often say that our Mom changed her life for the better. She is who she is now thanks to her. Mom would finally accept this gracious compliment after many years. Madeleine said of her we all learned many life lessons from this special woman. No truer words were ever spoken. We thank God that he chose her for our Mother. We thank all her friends for their support. We thank you Mom for always believing in all of us, for the unconditional love and support you showed each of us and how you taught us to be thankful for what we have and to look on the brighter side of life, to have enthusiasm and to remember to laugh. If we neglected to mention your name, just please know that if you knew our Mom, you were already her friend"¦.. Thanks for everything"¦"¦. Aloha and Mahalo to our Mom and friend. I'll Remember You - Words & music by Kui Lee I'll remember you Long after this endless summer is gone I'll be lonely, oh so lonely Living only to remember you I'll remember too Your voice as soft as a warm summer breeze Your sweet laughter mornings after Every after I'll remember you To your arms some day I'll return to stay 'til then I will remember too Every bright star we made wishes upon Love me always promise always You'll remember too I'll remember you.

Mary Jane Lammons Jacobs

November 29, 1926 - March 26, 2011