Tributes

Evelyn Otis Jacobus, of Pawleys Island, SC, a former longtime resident of East Aurora, NY, died peacefully of pneumonia, June 15, 2017, after a full, well-lived life. She was 93. Born in Chester, PA, to Evelyn and Warren Otis, Evelyn Irene Otis grew up in Ridgewood, NJ. She attended the University of Michigan, where she met her husband Neal while serving tea for service members at her sorority, the Sorosis Club, in 1944. They married that year and were assigned to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Mrs. Jacobus moved to the Buffalo, NY, area in 1950 and settled in East Aurora in 1957 where she raised their three children and lived for almost 50 years in a beautiful Roycroft Arts & Crafts home. Involved in many local organizations, Mrs Jacobus served as president of the East Aurora Newcomers Club, East Aurora Garden Club and the PTA. She co-founded the East Aurora Beautification Committee, and along with Neal, a former Village trustee, helped start the recycling program. She served as a docent at the historic Roycroft Inn, played tennis at the East Aurora Country Club, and was a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.). She and her family were enthusiastic supporters of the American Field Service (AFS) and hosted an exchange student from Spain, Jose. They later hosted an Israeli student, Etai. An active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, Mrs. Jacobus was president of both Junior Parish and Women’s Activities, a member of the hand bell choir, and served on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Homes of WNY. Mrs Jacobus loved an adventure and will be remembered by many for her frequent travels across the country and around the world. She inspired a love of travel in her children, especially her son Warren. Her legacy lives on in the travels of her grandchildren, three of whom have lived overseas. After her husband died in 2000, Mrs. Jacobus moved to GreenField Manor in Lancaster, NY, where she enjoyed 10 wonderful years, several with her companion, Bud Diefenbach, until his death. In 2012, she moved to Pawleys Island to be closer to her son, John. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Warren Jacobus. She is survived by her son, John (Lynda) Jacobus of Pawleys Island, SC; her daughter, Joan (Harry Pedersen) Jacobus of Palo Alto, CA; her daughter-in-law, Kimberly (Warren’s widow, remarried to Chuck Kellner) Kroener of Larkspur, CA; four grandchildren, Blair (Ernie) Malato, Kelsey Pedersen, Allie Pedersen, Will Jacobus; and two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Connor. A celebration of life ceremony will be held later this year at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where her ashes will be interned next to her husband’s in the Memorial Garden. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Murrells Inlet Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

Evelyn Otis Jacobus

February 20, 1924 - June 15, 2017