Rosemary Jacoby, 89
Rosemary Jacoby was born in Great Falls, Montana to Jessie “Ruth” and John Paul Sloan, Sr. She was child number 4 of 6, born during the Great Depression.
She attended grade school in Great Falls until she was 13, then Columbia Falls schools into High School. In Helena, she attended Cathedral High School her Junior and Senior years and worked as a PBX telephone switchboard operator. At CHS, she was elected into the National Honor Society, and was active in Pep Club, the Sodality of Mary and OGA, graduating June, 1951.
After high school, she lived with her family in Redlands and Oxnard, California, attending San Bernardino Junior College for one year while working as a Secretary at San Bernardino Norton Air Force Base. She moved to Bozeman to attend Montana State University, majoring in Home Economics for 1 year. There, she was a Delta Gamma.
She married the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Jacoby in 1954 in Oxnard, California. Rosemary worked as a secretary for the UM Botany Dept in Missoula while Chuck went to UM Business school, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1955. They moved to Helena where Charles became a partner in his father’s business, Jacoby’s Store for Men. Rosemary helped in the store frequently.
Rosemary worked for Eaton-Turner Jewelry in 1981, and GT Murray & Co, in 1982. At the Montana Legislature, she worked both special and regular sessions from 1981-1995 as a committee secretary, Judicial Secretary for State Senator Bruce Crippen, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and for Senator Bob Brown, the Senate Minority leader.
Though small in stature, Rosemary was large in brains, beauty, faith, determination, energy, compassion, and giving. Self-described as being the Jacoby House CEO, she was secretary of TLC, social activities, sewing, cooking, baking, communication, school, medical, counseling, and transportation; she worked tirelessly for her family. Always there for our school, sports and other activities, she was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother and grandmother to all.
Active in tennis, she played on a local league until her doctor told her she had to stop at age 85. She also enjoyed walking, entering the Governor’s Cup and Komen Cancer Walk several times. A favorite time of the week was her exercise class at Crossroads. She also enjoyed Par 3 Golf until late in her life.
She loved playing cards and games, and couldn’t wait to spend mornings with her many Bridge club friends. She excelled at gardening, sewing, arts and crafts, handiwork, home decorating, and painting.
A woman of faith, she was active in St Mary’s Catholic Church in the choir, prayer and many other church groups, volunteering at many events for the parish. She was active philanthropically in her PEO, Festival of Trees and other Fund-raising for the local symphony, Holter Museum and Grand Street Theater. She was patriotic, and really enjoyed being an active new member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Chuck and she loved boating together with family and friends at the Gates of the Mountains and Coeur d’Alene Lake. They were avid fans of the Carroll College Fighting Saints & Montana Grizzlies. Together, she and Chuck loved to travel for work, fun and to see friends and family.
She lived in a Senior Independent living community for several months prior to her passing and was very happy to re-unite with old friends and make new ones there.
Rosemary was preceded in passing by her husband, Chuck Jacoby, her parents, John Paul, Sr. and Jessie “Ruth” Sloan, her siblings Betty Hasty, John Sloan, Jr, Margaret Poor, and Phil Sloan and her grandson, Danny. She is survived by her sister Judy Kirschel, her four children: Mark Jacoby (Kristie), Lynn Butler (Don), Marla Mousseau (Paul), and Meg Jacoby (Bob White), her grandchildren: Kenzie Greer (Jimmy), Alex Wilson, Katherine Pittman (Dale), Matt Butler, Amy Butler (Neil), David Butler (Kaity), Ashley Robles (Abdiel), Tevin Lewis, Mariah Mattick (Sean), Alyssa White (Raul Coutinho), Julia White, Carly White and great-grandchildren Hannah, Kambria, Kannon, Clark, Quinn, Grace, Brandon, Liliana, Florence and Sofia, and her many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Mass will be devoted to Rosemary on Sunday, December 17th at 8:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1700 Missoula Ave., Helena.
A Funeral Service will be held the following day, on Monday, December 18 at 11:00am at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena. A Reception and Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Angel Fund of Helena www.angelfundhelena.org, P.O. Box 7436, Helena, MT 59604 or Friends of PBS, montanapbs.org.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 18, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Monday December 18, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 18, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Monday December 18, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Sandy Bradford says
My heartfelt condolences to Mark and Meg and families. I shall always remember the kindness and thoughtfulness of your Mother expressed to my father-in-law – her food, visits and phone calls. What a beautiful lady – inside and out! May great comfort come to your hearts. Sandy Bradford
diane T. willliams says
Rosemary was the nicest person, ever! No matter what, she could put a good spin on the situation, however, she was a fierce bridge player, and did care wo knew it!
We have been friends since high school, through marriages, childbirth, deaths and many joys. Always sharing – good friends and neighbors. She was our children’s “Fairy Godmother” and a good one too. (that was what they thought)
My favorite Rosemary saying: “Marriage is weird!” This we agreed on. We also thought we had wonderful, caring families.
We just can’t tell you how sorry we are that we all lost you loved one. You have our deepest sympathy.
Love, from Diane and Budd Williams
Marcia Wall says
Rosemary was a gentle soul that lit up the room when she entered and quietly would speak to a packed room that hung on her every word. I met Rosemary over 20 years ago when we both were members of PEO Chapter O here in Helena. I fought to sit next to her so we could chat and catch up with all the “news” of the month in Helena! She wore beautiful clothes and jewelry; impeccably stunning at all times! She was a role model for humanity; using her faith, wit, charm and knowledge to help others, come up with a grand idea or remembering a moment to share. I dearly loved Rosemary and everything about her. She spoke often of her children and how proud she was of them. She missed Chuck a great deal so I’m sure it was a wondrous reunion above . . . so much to catch up on! My sincere condolences to you Meg and Mark and extended family; a tremendous loss to all that knew her. I lost one of my greatest role models and friends. God Bless you Rosemary Jacoby! We will meet again.
Sally Speer says
Rosemary gave me my first job babysitting . I wasn’t very good at discipline, Mark put toothpaste in Mag’s hair. My mother and Rosemary were sorority sisters, the group worried about my future when I didn’t get in to the sorority. I would see her and she was so kind with a look of wondering about my future. I did just fine, and I will miss seeing.
Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Our sincere sympathy to the Jacoby family. Rosemary was such a gracious, kind, fun lady. She will certainly be missed, we are better people for having known her.
Brother Dale J. Mooney says
While I never met Mrs. Jacoby, she has remembered us, especially this time of the year. My prayers are for the family who feel this loss. May she rest in peace. Brother Dale J. Mooney, De La Salle Blackfeet School.
Darien G Scott says
My sincere sympathy to the family. We were neighbors for 20 years and friends in P.E.O. for over 40 years. I treasure some of the Christmas ornaments that she and Chuck made and give to me. She was always so gracious and will be truly missed.
Karen Fehlig Stiefel says
My sincere sympathy to my cousins. This is a very hard time to go through. Chuck and Rosie were wonderful people as well as relatives.
Kim Cross says
Rosemary was a wonderful neighbor and a fun walking buddy. We will really miss her! I’m praying for everyone as they grieve the loss of such a special person. She was a great lady with a wonderful smile and the best laugh.