Doris Jean Jacobs

If Nana Doris walked in right now, she’d say, “Well, you’re not all here for me!” When I think about Nana, I think about her quick wit, throwing out a zinger, and always, always making me laugh. Most of all, as her grandchildren, we all felt the absolute love she had for Kristen, Brendon, Rob, and me. I’m Kayla and this morning I’d like to share with you the incredible life of our Nana.

Doris Jean Jacobs was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on February 27, 1931. She was the daughter of Fred Roberts and Tessie Patterson and sister to two older brothers, Joseph and Jack Roberts. Doris was born at the beginning of the Great Depression, which left a lasting impact on her life and helped shape the women she became. She valued family and friendships more than any material possessions.

Being a family of the Depression, life was tough for the Roberts. They lived in a “shotgun” house in what was known as the “south-end” in East St. Louis, Illinois and always had some family member living with them. Her brothers, Joe and Jack, worked from very early ages, taking any jobs they could, such as shining shoes and putting up flyers, to help provide for the struggling family when it was clear their father could not. Both boys were very protective of their mother and little sister. Her mother, Tessie, worked as well, taking in laundry and ironing in order to put food on the table. Her mother was a strong women and a hard worker, which she passed down to Nana Doris. Through it all, they were a close-knit family, which was apparent when Nana Doris spoke of her mom and brothers with love and adoration.

In the late 1940’s, Nana Doris landed her first job at JJ Newberry’s, a dime store in East St. Louis, Illinois. Following the death of her father Fred, and with the added income, Nana Doris and her mom, Tessie were able to get a new place together; and for the first time in their lives, they had an indoor bathroom! Later on, Nana Doris began working at Sears, Roebuck and Company, where she worked for 17 years as a credit investigator. Like her brothers, Nana Doris worked hard, excelled at her job, and tackled it all with gusto.

Then one day, Nana Doris and her girlfriend, Geri decided to go out together after work. Geri had a favorite saying which Nana loved to quote, “Let’s go do something even if it’s wrong”. Lo and behold, they stopped in at the Clairway Tavern, where none other than William A. Jacobs was the bartender. Nana Doris met the love of her life, Papa Bill. That momentous meeting would transform her life again. Nana Doris and Papa Bill were married on April 27, 1957 and spent 57 wonderful years together.

On February 19, 1958, they celebrated the birth of their first child, Linda. Ten years later, in 1968, through a twist of fate, Nana Doris and Papa Bill became legal guardians to their five nieces and nephews, Nancy, Pam, Billy, Doug and Tina. This was their cherished family forever more. In order to accommodate this expansion, Nana Doris and Papa Bill moved to Waterloo, Illinois, where they spent 36 years at 705 South Library Street. Nana Doris then quit her job at Sears and became a full-time homemaker. She often relived the story about the first time she made spaghetti and didn’t make enough. She would laugh and say, “Who doesn’t make enough spaghetti?” Well, she simply adjusted and learned how to cook for a bigger family. She said it was nothing for her to do 17 loads of laundry a week. Luckily, Nana Doris had help cooking and cleaning from her mom, who moved to Waterloo, as well. Grandma Tessie and Nana Doris shared that common bond of perseverance to cement the family foundation. Today, we are all a testament to that bond.

Being a Depression baby, Nana understood the value of a buck and the importance of having a job; therefore, she took a part-time job at the library in Waterloo. It was important to her to have her own spending money. She worked as a part-time librarian for 8 years, and during this time she researched her genealogy. These valuable records are part of the history she left to all of us. When Papa retired, she left her position at library to be able to travel. They enjoyed seeing the Redwood National Forest, Hearst Castle, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and especially Las Vegas. Nana had a passion for gambling, especially the slots. She took many a fun-filled gambling trip with the Waterloo Seniors and her friend, Loretta. Perhaps one of the most memorable gambling experiences is when Aunt Pam and Uncle Rick Sublette took her to the Casino Queen, a riverboat casino, where they had set times they closed the gates. They were all heading in along the walkway, when the horn sounded meaning the gates were closing. Everyone started running to make it into the casino. Aunt Pam and Uncle Rick thought Nana was running right beside them, when they heard a commotion behind them, turned and saw Nana had fallen to her knees. Two rather large women came up on either side of Nana, picked her up under each arm and ran her into the casino with all three of them laughing. That was Nana, everywhere she went she liked to make people laugh. She finished her career with Weight Watchers. After earning her Gold Key, she became a clerk and treasurer .

In 2004, Nana Doris and Papa Bill moved to Littleton, Colorado to live near their daughter Linda and her family. Kristen and Rob remember going to Nana’s after school everyday, where a Ding-Dong, Ho-Ho, or Fudgsicle would be waiting for them. They have wonderful memories of Monday night dinners, where they enjoyed Nana’s meatloaf, goulash or fried potatoes, a few of the many of her specialties. Nana Doris and Papa Bill lived happily independent in their Littleton home for eight years, until they moved to Lighthouse Assisted Living Home, where Papa Bill’s passed last October.

When I think of my Nana, I think of her natural wit, feisty personality, and generous nature. She was always taking care of others and made a home where you always felt comfortable and welcome. There was no mistaking that she was ferociously protective of her family, especially us grandkids!

I’d like to close with one of Nana’s favorite sayings, well known to those of her generation:

“Get off the table Mabel the two bucks is for the beer.”

We love you Nana and will keep you in our hearts forever!