Mary Jacobs

CASEYVILLE, Ill. -- Mary L. Norris Jacobs, 76, of Caseyville died Monday, April 19, 2010, at St. Paul's Home in Belleville, Ill.

She was born Dec. 25, 1933, in Thebes, Ill. Mary shared her life with her husband, Arthur E. "Bucky" Jacobs 52 years before he passed away March 11, 2005.

Mary graduated from Belleville Area College with a degree in business and secretarial science, named to the Vice President's High Honors List, and was a certified professional secretary. Her education was accomplished during her employment with Equitable Life Assurance Co., from which she retired.

She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, where she was active in the choir, Bible study, and New Life Club. She enjoyed reading, playing pinochle with her card club and playing piano, along with dinner trips with the New Life Club and Lift Groups.

Prior to St. Matthew, Mary was pianist 18 years at Caseyville United Methodist Church. She was an accomplished pianist, and played throughout Southern Illinois with quartets and a weekly program with Wayman Presley. They traveled and played at many area churches on Sunday afternoons, and at the Community Center in Anna, Ill., every Saturday evening.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur E. "Bucky" Jacobs; parents, Henry and Ruth Pendergast Norris; and a sister, Billy Jean Adams.

Survivors include two sons, Douglas (Francine) Jacobs of Tarzana, Calif., Stuart (fiancee Traci E. Perkins) Jacobs of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jessa and Ryan Jacobs of Tarzana, Kyle, Connor and Cole Jacobs of Collinsville, Ill.; a special niece, Teresa (Alan) Stahl of St. Peters, Mo.; a special nephew, David (Jackie) Jacobs of Waterloo, Ill.; and a great-niece, Mikayla Jacobs.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church Choir, Lindsey Cemetery, McClure, Ill., or Animal Rescue and Relief Foundation, Caseyville, Ill.

Friends may call from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville.

The funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Slone officiating. A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.kurrusfh.com.