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WOMEN OF FAITH

Lois Jacobs’ big heart

This is the second in an occasional series profiling women who have made a lasting difference in the lives of the members of the church in northwest Florida.

THERESA CHMIEL | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 12.14.07

CRAWFORDVILLE | Lois Jacobs was born into an era when divorce was rare and abortion was unheard of. Yet, in 1939, she was born into a family torn apart by exactly that.

“My mother was very honest with me,” Jacobs said. “My father divorced her because he didn’t want me. He wanted her to have an abortion.”

To Jacobs’ mother, abortion was unthinkable. Instead, the devout Catholic raised her daughter in urban Detroit, with the help of her own mother.

In the late 1930s, single parents were often ostracized, but “that wasn’t true for us,” said Jacobs. She recounts her early years at St. John Catholic School in Detroit as welcoming, saying that “the nuns at the school treated me and my family no differently than anyone else.”

Those nuns, said Jacobs, set the standard others would follow. When others outside her parish family were judgmental, her church community offered a safe, accepting haven.

“Growing up Catholic has been the light of my life,” she said.

Jacobs was still in elementary school when her mother married John Bialk and the new family moved to a large farm in northern Michigan. “My stepfather adopted me,” said Jacobs, “and we lived on this beautiful farm where I became his right-hand helper.” All along, Jacobs’ family maintained a strong connection to its church and faith in God. “I always felt truly blessed,” she said. “We never lacked anything.”

At 16, Jacobs was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and underwent open-heart surgery. Throughout the ordeal, her faith never wavered. Talented doctors and prayer helped her pull through, she said. Her heart is “still ticking!” she laughed.

Jacobs went on to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., after college. There, she met her future husband, Charlie. “Charlie was a Methodist from Tennessee,” said Jacobs, “but I convinced him to come to Mass with me one Sunday.” One Sunday grew into two, then four, then six, and eventually Charlie converted to Catholicism.

The couple moved to Tallahassee in the late 1960s, where they raised their three children. They became active in Blessed Sacrament Parish and started the Catholic Youth Organization at the church while their children were young.

“We were a fledgling group,” said Jacobs, “but it was important to Charlie and me that we give the kids a place to meet and learn about their faith.”

They converted the basement of the rectory into an “abbey” and held weekly meetings with a handful of the parish youths. In a few months, the group had grown to more than 40 teenagers. “We were so proud of our kids. One of our members went on to head up the national CYO program,” she said.

When she retired from the FBI in 1975, Jacobs went to work for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. She traveled from parish to parish gathering news, which she compiled into weekly radio programs and a newsletter.

“It was the best job,” she recounted, “I met so many fabulous people, and working with Father Amos was a real honor,” she said of her former boss, the late Msgr. James Amos. “He was like a second father to me.”

After several years working for the diocese, she felt it was time to retire “for good,” and the Jacobs family moved to Crawfordville. Never one to sit still for long, though, Jacobs began volunteering at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish as its music director.

“Lois really built up the music program here,” said Oblate Father James MacGee, pastor. He credits Jacobs with creating a more richly diverse repertoire within the parish’s music ministry, and inspiring others to offer their gift of song. “She is a remarkable person. Her warmth and care shine through. Those who know her are truly blessed.”

Jacobs’ longtime friend, Rita Powell, agreed. “I can always count on Lois for anything. She’s just a lovely person,” she said. Powell said other parishioners share the sentiment, recalling Jacobs’ generous gift of time and talents over the past 10 years. “Any time we have a special function, Lois is right there ready to lend a hand with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.”

Jacobs credits her strong faith in God and a supportive, loving family and friends with helping her see the positive side of life. “I have no fear,” she said. “God has taken care of me very well.”

To nominate a woman for inclusion in this series, please send your name, daytime phone and e-mail as well as the name and contact information for the woman, to dekeyserp@ptdiocese.org.

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WOMEN OF FAITH

Lois Jacobs’ big heart

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