Nancy Whittington Jacobsen

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Robert Jacobsen; daughter, Amy Louise Jacobsen; and sister, Joan Gatewood. She is survived by her sister, Linda Ralph (Tom); children, Joanna Watson (Buster) and Paul Jacobsen (Betsy); seven grandchildren, Michael Proffitt (Julie), Eric Proffitt, Corey Jacobsen (Christine), Jessica Wah (Joey), Robert Watson, Sarah Dale (Wesley), and Jeremy Watson (Tiffany); eleven great-grandchildren, Amy, Abby, Nathan, Hannah, Will, Clara, Tai, Kinsley, Madelynn, Emmylou, and Cora; niece, Jennifer Peavey (Chris); and nephew, Charles Gatewood.

Online condolences may be registered at www.nelsenashland.com.

Nancy was born in Norfolk, VA. She met my dad, Will, in Sunday School at 14 and they were together until he passed away February 15, 2000.

Nancy was Valedictorian of North Tarrytown High School's class of 1944 and graduated from Vassar College where she majored in Music and English. She took organ lessons from the late Suzanne Kidd Bunting at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church where she and her family were members for many years. She sang in the choir and especially enjoyed the wonderful special music performed at Christmas and Easter.

While we were growing up mom was always working on something! She made curtains; hung wallpaper; painted walls, halls and bathrooms; built/refinished/re-upholstered furniture; sewed school clothes; knitted sweaters, scarves and blankets; wove items on her state-of-the-art loom; she even crocheted a dress for one special occasion I attended! My piano teacher, Sarah Landrum, always put on very elaborate recitals and mom sewed the most amazing period dresses for my performances. She had a doll house and crafted intricate miniature pieces that were always a source of awe to us all. Unfortunately, many of these treasures were lost in a house fire.

When were were young, snow days were always spent outside with anticipation of returning to hot cocoa and still warm Scandinavian Rosettes dipped in confectioners sugar!! The "grown-up" days were spent gathered around the dining room table assembling some of the most difficult jigsaw puzzles. (Rule of the House: you look at the picture once and then hide the box until you are done. NO PEEKING!!!) We sure had some weird rules of engagement in our home!

She always thirsted for knowledge and could complete any crossword puzzle you put in front of her! (She deeply frowned upon anyone who would dare to use a dictionary while attempting to complete a puzzle!) There were also very few folks who could provide any competition to her SCRABBLE prowess!

Mom was a Master Gardener and loved planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow and enjoying the fruits of her labors--whether in a beautiful vase or on the dinner plate! She volunteered her time at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens when she was able and always enjoyed working in the horticulture tent at the Virginia State Fair.

In her later years, she spent time at the kitchen table with her binoculars observing the many species of birds that frequented the several feeders positioned outside the window. The stack of field guides was always nearby to identify any birds, snakes, insects, animals, plants or trees she did not recognize.

She was active in the Hanover Chapter of AARP and served as chair of several committees throughout her membership. She was also a member of the book club of the Ashland Branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library.

She had a great love of classical music and we always enjoyed the spontaneous outbursts from various operas that came to mind and out of mouth! This trait was very easily passed on as some of us are graced with the same affliction! A single word or phrase will spark a tune.

She had a quick wit and great sense of humor that will be missed by the family and friends she leaves behind.