Carmen Jacob

CASA GRANDE - Carmen Jacob, 95, a 30-year resident of Casa Grande, died on April 24, 2019, at The Garnet of Casa Grande, where she lived for the past three and a half years.

Mrs. Jacob was born on Nov. 18, 1923, to Loretta and Andres Zabala in Brooklyn, New York, the second youngest of eight children. In 1942 she married Edwin "Eddie" DeMott. After returning from World War II, he died in 1952. In 1953 she met her second husband, Frederick "Fred" Jacob. They lived on Long Island, where she worked as a secretary for several companies. In 1961 she gave birth to her beloved son, Kenneth "Kenny" Jacob. He was a special needs boy who also had a special gift for sharing love, huge smiles, laughter and compassion with everyone he met, just like his mom.

He was the love and light of her life and she devoted all her energy to caring for him and helping other families in a similar situation. She worked tirelessly for the Special Olympics and in 1970 received the Woman of the Year award from the Association for the Help of Retarded Children of Nassau County.

After moving to Casa Grande in 1990, she took up oil painting and produced beautiful paintings she shared with family and friends. She had a strong, deep faith and joyful soul and always a kind word for whomever she met. She enjoyed swimming, bingo, playing cards, cooking and being with her family.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews and godchildren. She was preceded in death by her son and husband of 65 years.

Funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice Compassus, 1675 E. Monument Plaza Circle, Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in charge of arrangements.