Mary Jerrine “Jerry” Jacoby, 97 of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and formerly of Watseka passed away on Friday October 16, 2026 at Nspire Healthcare in Plantation, FL. She was born on January 26, 1929 in Crawfordsville, IN a daughter of Frank W. and Enid L. (Greene) Jack. Jerry married Hugh Wayne Jacoby in Crawfordsville, IN on October 5, 1952 and he preceded her in death on July 20, 2013. Survivors include three sons- Jeff (Micaela) Jacoby of Huntington Beach, CA, Jack (Lisa) Jacoby of Brighton, CO, and Jim (Dede) Jacoby of Granbury, TX; one daughter- Julie Jacoby of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; one foster son Darryl (Sara) Boatman Watseka, IL; three grandchildren; and one sister- Linda Tincher of Salinas, CA. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; infant son- Jack Allen Jacoby; two sisters- Maxine Overton and Janice Perry; and one son in law- Terry Brooks.
Jerry began working at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in 1970 as the Volunteer Director. Over the years she played an important leadership role in the hospital and for a time served as Vice President of Community Services. She was involved in many professional and community organizations including: Charter member of Illinois Society of Directors of Volunteers (ISDVS), member of East Central Illinois Area on Aging-Advisory Council, member and former District Director of the National Business and Professional Women’s Organization (BPW), member of the Illinois Hospital Association Constituency on Volunteers and Steering Committee, charter member of the Early Risers Toastmasters Club, lifetime member of the Iroquois Memorial Auxiliary and served as Auxiliary President from 2003-2005. Jerry was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Watseka and sang in the choir and previously served on the Board of Trustees. Over the years Jerry received many honors for her dedication and service including being named Woman of the Year by BPW in 1988, the Professional Achievement Award from ISDVS in 1990, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce and the Times Republic Newspaper in 1998. In 1983, Jerry’s relentless efforts led to the establishment of IMH’s Lifeline Program. It enabled many area seniors to stay in their homes and get help in the event of an emergency.
After retiring, Jerry and Wayne were both voracious readers and enjoyed traveling around the US in their motorhome.
After Wayne passed, Jerry moved to Ft Lauderdale FL in 2015 and spent many years in the sun and having great adventures all around the state with her daughter Julie. They enjoy many plays, musicals and theater. Jerry swam every day and had quite the suntan!
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.
Private graveside services will be held at Oak Hill Grant Cemetery in Crawfordsville, IN.
Memorials may be made to IMH Auxiliary or First United Methodist Church in Watseka.
Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.
Please share a memory of Jerry at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
