Celebration of life honors Joan Jacobs

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Jacobs name literally adorns every major cultural and scientific institution in San Diego, but during Monday’s memorial for the late Joan Jacobs, attendees were reminded of the trailblazing, passionate woman whose indelible mark on San Diego will be enjoyed for decades to come.

With The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as the backdrop, the Jacobs family, friends and dignitaries honored the legacy of Joan Jacobs, who died peacefully at the age of 91 a little more than a week ago.

Several hundred guests enjoyed symphony, the horns and the original cast and director of the producers from the La Jolla Playhouse.

On stage were her four sons, 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Joan Jacobs and her husband of more than 70 years, Irwin Jacobs – founder of Qualcomm, among other accolades — have given hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to local arts, educational and scientific institutions including the San Diego Symphony, UC San Diego, the Central Library, the La Jolla Playhouse, The Museum Of Contemporary Art, The Salk Institute, among many others.

More than a dozen friends spoke of her tireless spirit, intelligence, sharp wit, work ethic and sense of fun that she brought to everything she touched, but it was her love of family that came first.

Her son, Paul Jacobs said, “She treated us with honor and in respect just as she treated everyone with honor and respect, even as she held us to a high standard, those lessons about honor and respect are why we’re so close as a family.”

Together with Irwin, the two made a powerhouse philanthropic couple. He says it was Joan’s idea to begin their legacy of making substantial gifts.

“She said we should make a major gift and then came up with the number $100 million and so we did do that, and we’ve been very pleased to see what has been made of that gift over the many years since, including where we are seated right now,” Irwin said.

Sharing personal moments that lead up to her death, Irwin Jacobs described his wife’s love of a new red dress she wore on her 91st birthday. And although she was sick, her desire to wear it again.

“She left us in her red dress and it will be with her forever,” Irwin Jacobs said. “Thank you for being here.”

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