Mary Adele Jacobsen

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beautiful Mother, Mary Adele Silva Jacobsen. She took her final breath, ready to enter heaven with an open heart, surrounded by her loving daughters, on July 13, 2026, at the age of 89.

A woman of great strength and grace, she persevered through her long life as a force of nature- unyielding, loving and generous. She came from a long line of brave pioneers from the Azores, Portugal and Switzerland. She loved to hear their many adventure stories, and she had many stories of her own to share.

Throughout her lifetime, Mary was defined by her devotion to her daughters, her friends, her garden and her love of great food, especially her native Portuguese food. She loved spending time with her friends and family and her dinner table was a time of love, laughter and stories, especially when her grandchildren were present. Mary was a gifted educator and taught at the elementary school in Prunedale, CA for over 20 years. She was a life-long learner and encouraged her family in that regard. In her later years, Mary moved to Sunrise Almaden where she spent many happy hours working in her garden, creating beautiful floral arrangements and enjoying a good mystery novel. Her friends were her delight and she organized and hosted many luncheons, dinners, sing-a-longs and book club gatherings. Mary’s joyful spirit was contagious to all who were around her.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Lena Arcotti Silva and Frank Edward Silva, as well as her brother, Frank Silva Jr.

Mary is survived by her 5 daughters, Teri Nickells, Linda Foxcroft (John), Lori Tregoning (Mike), Kathleen Lynch (Mike), and Mary Anne Ryan (Dennis); her 15 grandchildren, Stefan Nickells, Matthew Nickells, Christopher Nickells, Sarah Foxcroft Halbleib, Clare Foxcroft Schwaner, William Foxcroft, Ryan Tregoning, Mason Tregoning, Emily Tregoning Caceres, Bethany Lynch Malik, Nathan Lynch, Katie Ryan Garcia, Daniel Ryan, John Paul Ryan and Jack Ryan; and her 18 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life and Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 1:00pm, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Jose. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Memorial to Mary Adele Jacobsen, by clicking on the links below.

Special thanks from the Jacobsen Family to her many friends at Sunrise Almaden who visited her regularly and kept her hope and spirit strong until her last day. Additionally, many thanks to the loving staff at The Watermark at Almaden, San Jose. Heaven just became a little brighter and full of floral bouquets now that Mary Adele has entered.