Obituary of Dawn Cathleen Wortendyke Jacobs

Dawn Cathleen Wortendyke Jacobs passed away in her sleep after a short illness on November 5, 2023, at home in Phoenix, Arizona. Dawn held many jobs throughout her life, from cake decorator to medical administrator, but she was always a homemaker. Being the best mother, wife, and sister she could be was her priority, and she created a warm, welcoming home for her two daughters and husband of 38 years. Dawn was known for the delicious homemade chocolate cake she made for birthdays, talking at length on the phone to support loved ones, and being everything to her husband and daughters.

Dawn was born in Elgin, Illinois in 1960. She saw much of the country throughout her life and was fond of road trips. Dawn loved to drive and saw the open road as a source of freedom and independence, two of her deepest values. She lived all over, from Texas to Indiana to New Jersey, before settling in Massachusetts to raise her family, and then enjoyed her later years snow-free in Arizona. Dawn was an avid reader, crossword enthusiast, and bird watcher.

Loved ones often saw Dawn as the kindest and most empathetic person in their life. She was also a fighter who was vocal about social and political injustice, always doing her best to stick up for people who needed it. Whenever you needed advice or simply just an understanding ear, Dawn was always up to the task, no matter what.

Dawn is predeceased by her mother, Rose T. Schulte, father, Rynier D. Wortendyke Jr., father in-law, Richard J. (Dick) Jacobs, and her brother, Michael H. Wortendyke.

She is survived by her husband, Tony Jacobs, daughters Emily Jacobs and Ellen Jacobs, brother Kenneth Wortendyke, sisters Debra Libutti, Diane Boiko, Darlene Andrechick, Joann Campos, Rane Garcia, many nieces and nephews, mother-in-law Kay Jacobs, and brothers- and sisters-in-law Brian (and Allison) Jacobs, Julie (and Carl) Kumpf.

A private memorial service will be held at 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Samaritan Funeral Home in Phoenix, AZ