Frances (Freedman) Jacobson

Zoom information for the Shiva Services: Shiva will be observed via Zoom on Saturday, February 5 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, February 6 at 3:00 PM. (Meeting ID: 870 0680 6189 Passcode: Shiva). Click the following link to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87006806189?pwd=ZmZDTlVVTjZqVHN1RHpaZG1aZ05yQT09

For those unable to attend in person, the Funeral Service for Frances (Freedman) Jacobson may be streamed via the following link: https://www.cbnaishalom.org/livestream.html .

Frances Jacobson, a lifelong educator and patron of the arts and humanities who channeled those passions for the benefit of children, especially those at risk, died peacefully January 28, 2022.

Born April 30, 1934, she was raised in Brookline, MA. After graduating from Connecticut College where she later served as a trustee, Ms. Jacobson earned a master’s in psychology from Clark University.

Known for her gift as a “child whisperer,” Ms. Jacobson began her career as a second-grade teacher in Newton, MA and later helped create the Worcester Arts Magnet School and the Multiple Intelligences School to bring the arts to every child in Worcester. She was the first director of the Worcester Arts and Humanities Educational Collaborative, an initiative to bring cultural institutions into schools. She was Chair of the Board at Worcester Youth Guidance and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the MA Cultural Council. She was a family therapist for 25 years

Ms. Jacobson was recognized by the Worcester Public Schools for her tireless efforts to make arts accessible to every student and was celebrated by the City of Worcester with a key to the city. During a visit to the White House in 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama called her “an inspiration to us all.”

Believing that nature and beauty are gifts to share, she was an ardent supporter of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Ms. Jacobson helped with the creation of the Children’s Garden, calling the opportunity “a dream come true.”

She was quoted in Tower Hill’s Magazine sharing, “To me, Tower Hill represents beauty, peace, an oasis. I love sharing that and have always enjoyed bringing my family here so they can experience it. Now it’s wonderful to see all those young children enjoying it too. To them, the garden is a wonderful adventure and place to explore and they absorb so much.”

Her capacity for giving extended to her family, which included her husband Howard, with whom she had a 63-year loving marriage, their four unique daughters and eight grandchildren. Every Sunday Ms. Jacobson and her husband would hold hands and snuggle on the couch for their Sunday “Grammy’s Chit Chat” Zoom call with all children, grandchildren and spouses who were available.

Her daughters recall growing up in a house with laughter and joy. “She had fabulous one lines including if “you marry for money you’ll pay for it” said her daughter Susan Jacobson.

Ms. Jacobson’s emotional quotient and ability to read people and situations were her superpowers, according to her family. Friends said she was “solid as a rock” was always there for those who needed her, whether it be conversation or counsel. She often dispensed advice with the right amount of wit and wisdom. When her daughters fretted over a mistake she told them, “Don’t flatter yourself by thinking that people are still thinking about what you said.” Ms. Jacobson’s sage advice lives on through her daughters, who share it with their children, friends and colleagues.

She is survived by her husband, M Howard Jacobson, daughters Susan and her husband Michael; Sally and her husband Marc; Joanne and her wife, Sara; Leslie and her husband Richard; her grandchildren Elizabeth, Robert, Frank, Melody, Sam, Ruth and Rose; and sisters Marilyn Ullian and Barbara Freedman.

Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, February 3, at 11:00AM at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough. Masks and vaccination will be required for all in attendance. Interment will follow at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. The Funeral Service will be live streamed at 11:00AM on Thursday, February 3. Shiva will be via Zoom on Saturday, February 5 at 7:00PM and Sunday, February 6 at 3:00PM. Please visit the obituary at www.milesfuneralhome.com for streaming and Zoom links. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Frances's memory to the Children's Garden at Tower Hill Botanic Gardens towerhillbg.org.