Josephine R. "Jodi" (Mann) Jacobus

PEABODY - Mrs. Josephine R. (Mann) Jacobus, 87, of Peabody, beloved wife of the late John E. Jacobus, passed away on April 29th, 2022, in Continuing Care, at Brooksby Village, Peabody, MA with her loving family at her side.

Jodi, as she was called, was born is Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Raymond and Helen (Ochnser) Mann. She was raised in Lancaster, Pa and Reading, Ma and was a graduate of Reading High School. Jodi went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Boston University.

Jodi began her work life as an Administrative Assistant, working at Wang Laboratories for several years, as well as in the insurance industry as a Broker.  Prior to her retirement had been a successful Realtor for Carlson Real Estate for many years. Jodi was well known in Reading for her charity work in the community and as a respected businesswoman.

Jodi was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was energetic, a go getter who liked to get things accomplished. She was a tireless caregiver and advocate for her daughter, Laura, and other disabled people at Hogan Regional Center and in the state care system and campaigned to ensure their needs were met and programs available to enrich their lives.

Artistic and creative at heart, Jodi enjoyed crafts of all kinds, knitting, and sewing and was always working on a project. She was a competitive player and highly skilled at Bingo, Mahjong and cards.  She was a wonderful cook and baker and loved to prepare special treats. She had a flair for fashion and decorating and loved the Christmas season, welcoming people into her bejeweled and bedecked home for holiday cheer. Life dealt Jodi a series of difficult blows in short order when she lost her husband Ed, then moved from her independent apartment into a nursing home for health reasons, and then lost her daughter as well. But she approached it all with the same fierceness and determination that she approached every challenge. She remained optimistic and worked hard to get better, stay busy and find ways to feel like herself again.

Surviving Jodi are her stepdaughters, Martha Jacobus and her husband Michael Burke of Newburyport and Sarah Liebermann and son-in-law Charles of Seabrook, NH.  Her granddaughter, Sampor Burke and great-granddaughter, Luna Grace, and grandsons Luke Liebermann and Jess Liebermann. She was predeceased by her only daughter, Laura R. Campbell, who passed away in 2019.

Jodi will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by her family and friends. The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the employees of Brooksby Village, Continuing Care: nursing, caregivers, physicians, therapists, activities, dietary, housekeeping, laundry for their care of Jodi. And the nurses, doctors, chaplains, and caregivers at Care Dimensions. It takes a Village, thank you.

ARRANGMENTS: A Celebration of Life will be held in Jodi’s memory on Wednesday, May 25th at 10:30 A.M. at Brooksby Village Chapel, 300 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody. Relatives and friends invited. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St. (Rte.62) DANVERS. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Brooksby Village Benevolent Care Fund, 100 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA 01960. To Share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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