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Debra Jeanne Jacobson, 67

On May 30, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho, with her family at her side, Debby Jacobson was called into the Lord’s restful embrace after a long and arduous fight with Lewy body dementia. Six and a half years prior to her diagnosis, she was a vibrant and charismatic mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. As her disease progressed and her health slowly deteriorated, she lost the ability to do many of the things she loved, but her beauty, patience and grace held strong — a steadfast tribute to her personality, and the woman we all knew and loved.

Debby was born on June 27, 1949, to parents Jacquita Steward-Leaming and Jack Steward in Spokane, Wash., where she spent her childhood. She attended Marycliff High School, and from there went on to attend Fort George Wright College (established by the Sisters of Holy Names), with a full ride scholarship to study art.

In 1970, she married Tom “Pat” Jacobson, to whom she was married for 21 years. In 1971, she started her working career at Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB) as an operator supervisor, and was selected to represent PNB in their exhibit at the 1974 World’s Fair in Spokane. She went on to spend numerous years as a member of the Junior League of Spokane, where she used her graphic design skills to create many of their publications. During her married years in Spokane, she became a homemaker after having children. She also enjoyed spending weekends and summers at her lake house in Sandpoint and developed a love for travel — visiting Europe, and the Pacific and Caribbean Islands, which were among her favorite destinations.

In 1990, she permanently moved to her lake home in Sandpoint where she pursued many of her passions — including being a loving mother to her daughters, volunteering as an elementary school art teacher, singing competitively with the Sweet Adelines Chorus, volunteering countless hours in the community and devoutly practicing her faith at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

In her later years, Debby went on to become a school bus driver in addition to maintaining her own housekeeping business. She continued to enjoy the things she loved — singing in the church choir, cooking gourmet meals and entertaining her friends, interior decorating, dazzling people with her creativity and volunteering in the community; but most of her time was spent with her most treasured possessions — her grandkids, whom she loved dearly.

Debby is survived by her three daughters, Debbie Batteiger (Tom) of Issaquah, Wash., Janice Dunkel (Mo) of Sandpoint and Julie Jepsen of Portland, Ore.; her ex-husband, Pat Jacobson of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; her siblings, Gary Steward (Lorna) of Marysville, Wash., Pam Lehinger (Scott) of Spokane, Kevin Steward of Spokane and Joel Steward (Rhonda) of Blakely Island, Wash.; her seven grandchildren, Justin Dunkel, Blake Dunkel, Layne Dunkel, Graham Dunkel, Tucker Dunkel, Jack Batteiger and Paige Batteiger; and many nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held in memory of Debby at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 S. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2017, also at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Interment will take place at noon Saturday, June 17, 2017, at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane.

Mom, may your contagious laugh ring throughout heaven and your loving spirit remind us not to mourn your loss, but to smile when we think of how you touched our lives — it was heaven while you were here with us.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Debby’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.