Ruth C. Jacobs' Obituary
Ruth Cecilia (Devitt) Jacobs
January 31, 1929 – January 10, 2023
Resident of Danville
Ruth Cecilia (Devitt) Jacobs passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023. She was 93. As number six of eight children born to Milton and Ruby Cooper Devitt of Santa Cruz, she soaked up every ray of sunshine of this idyllic seaside community while creating a lifetime of fond memories with her large family on Otis Street. She carried this positive attitude beyond her Beach Boardwalk playground to her eventual meeting with her future husband, Alfred (Al) Jacobs, who she met during a night of dancing at the Cocoanut Grove, a then-popular spot for major Big Band acts like Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.
Proud to be a fifth-generation Californian, “born and raised,” Ruthie, as she was known, started as an “elevator operator” at Leask’s Department Store in Santa Cruz and was later promoted to a salesperson. Ruth was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School.
Married in 1952, Alfred and Ruth Jacobs moved to the East Bay settling in San Leandro where they raised their three children Jeff, Kim and Jane. Involved in all her children’s activities, Ruth also served as PTA president of Stanton Elementary School. Music and dancing filled their home, especially on holidays. They often celebrated their time at the family cabin in Felton with BBQs, horseshoes and swimming at the lake. In addition to being a homemaker, Ruth was a dress store manager at Ross in Castro Valley. Upon Al’s passing, Ruth moved to Danville where she was active in the Grandma’s Club.
Ruth always made time to bake her famous menu of pies with apple and pumpkin topping the list. But it was her pleasant demeanor, good sense of humor and a willingness to listen that made her endearing among extended family and the younger generations that have followed her. Those who knew her will recall that the same love and unselfish effort she baked into each pie crust is simply the same kindness she carried into her relationships with those she cherished.
Ruth is survived by her son Deacon Jeff Jacobs (Chris) of Wichita, Kansas, daughters Kim Panos (George) of Morgan Hill and Jane Vawter (Jim) of Danville, 12 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Alfred J. Jacobs, her parents Milton and Ruby Devitt and siblings: Patricia Stocker, Evelyn Eaton, Marjorie Baker, Frances Trine, Rosemary Collins, Therese Hall, Milton Devitt.
Visitation and Rosary will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 22nd at Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home & Cemetery, 32992 Mission Blvd in Hayward. Funeral service on Monday, January 23rd at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.
Contributions in her memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
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