Barbara Jean Jacobson, 89, truly was able to be “Home for Christmas” as she journeyed to Heaven on December 21, 2021, following a stroke a few days prior in Centralia, Washington. Born in Palo Alto, California, to parents Melvin and Willa Core, Barbara was inquisitive and musical from the very beginning. After moving to Portland, Oregon, at a young age she began studying piano with a master teacher for a few years before moving to a small homestead in Harmony, Washington, where she continued her great love of the piano. After graduating Valedictorian in 1950 from Mossyrock High School, Barbara married Paul Jacobson and began her life as a wife, and then later as a mother of three to children: Raymond, Ronald and Lisa. Her love for music influenced her to become a private piano teacher in her beloved community of Mossyrock, Washington, where she taught students both young and not-so-young for many years. Throughout her years in Mossyrock and the surrounding communities, Barbara provided lovely piano and organ music for countless funerals, weddings, and church services. She immensely enjoyed teaching music, and had great impact on her students’ lives as she not only taught them music, but both mentored and encouraged them during their times at the piano bench with her. Other times of musical enjoyment were when she opened her home for “Music Parties” where others brought their instruments and they all sang hymns and songs of worship. She took great delight throughout the years in making many trips to the Seattle Opera House where she savored the beautiful concerts and skills of famous musicians. She often included some of her piano students so they could experience the fifine arts alongside her. Being greatly interested in her Irish heritage, she took her parents on a wonderful trip to France, Germany, England, Ireland, and Scotland for her mother’s 80th birthday. They had great fun touring the lovely castles and she delighted in watching her mother experience kissing the Blarney Stone (being held upside down by her ankles) as everyone cheered and clapped to add to the celebration! Other delights of her life included making up and telling embellished stories to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, savoring the great taste of a cup of Gevalia coffee, having Siamese cats (with attitude), making Christmas candies with her family, and most important learning and reading the Scriptures to know her Lord and Savior more deeply. In her later years, she gave freely of her mothering and nurturing heart to many a young woman in need of that as she opened her home to help them finish their educations, become good mothers, and share her faith with them. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, and eldest son, Raymond. Those left to cherish her memory are: brother, Colin Core of Olympia, Washington; sister, Asenath (Dan) Warren of Elma, Washington; son, Ron (Becky) Jacobson of Salkum, Washington; daughter, Lisa Jacobson of Olympia, Washington; grandsons: Christopher of Centralia, Washington; Jason of San Antonio, Texas; Michael fl(Sarah) of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania; along with her precious great-grandchildren: Willow, Piper, Riley, Andrew and Sydney Grace Jacobson. Cremation provided by Cattermole Funeral Home. A graveside service to take place at a later date.
“A piano teacher touches hearts one note at a time.”
