Barbara Morris Jacobson, 84, of Grand Ronde, Ore., died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland on May 30, 2012. She was the mother of Dan Jacobson of Hixson.

Barbara was born March 21, 1928 in Najibabad, India.  She was the youngest of eight children of Rembrandt Peale Morris and Belva Vance Morris who served for decades as missionaries in India for the Seventh-day Adventist church. Growing up in India instilled in her a love of cultures, customs, and international cuisine.  She loved India and its people all of her life.  Barbara stayed fluent in Urdu even though she left India at age 16 to pursue her education in the United States.  In 1997 Barbara returned to India, visiting places she knew from her youth, and traveling to Peshawar, Pakistan on a health education mission.  

Barbara received a BA from Washington Adventist University in June, 1952, and in September of that year married Samuel Srolovic Jacobson, who had immigrated to the United States originally from Lithuania.  They were married almost 54 years. 

Barbara lived her life with a deep love for God, her family, and others.  She loved to work hard and enjoyed the out of doors.  Her exuberance was catching, and she promoted many worthy causes including charities, vegetarian cooking, gardening, and exercise.  She loved good music and encouraged many budding musicians to share their talents in her local church. 

Barbara devoted much of her life to raising her family of four and a long-term foster daughter.  She was always active in the communities where she lived in New York, Maryland, Georgia, and Oregon.  She assisted Samuel in his work to promote greater understanding between Seventh-day Adventist and Jewish communities; traveling extensively with him.  She home schooled her children for many years as well as teaching in private elementary schools.  This school year she volunteered at the West Valley Christian School in Grand Ronde until her recent illness. The Jacobson family resided in the Wildwood community of Dade County, Georgia for more than 20 years during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. 

Her husband, Samuel, preceded her in death in 2006, also her parents, six siblings and a grandson.   She is survived by one sister, Joann Kester of Moss Landing, CA,  her children- Daniel R. Jacobson and wife Kathy of Hixson; Ruth B. Woolcock MD and husband John of Indiana, Pa.; Ellen Butler and husband Daniel of Grand Ronde, Ore.; and Lemuel M. Srolovic and wife Judith Goldiner of Brooklyn, N.Y.; foster-daughter Patricia Stratton of Meadville, Pa.; her grandchildren, Corey Davidson, Samuel Butler, Rachel Gladden, Sara Woolcock, Melissa Butler, Lindsey Woolcock, Clara Goldiner, Eleanor Goldiner, Victoria Goldiner and her great-grandchildren, Amber Odom, Hunter Odom, Crystal Butler, Madeline Davidson, Eli Davidson and Taylor Gladden.  She also has numerous nieces and nephews.  

A “Celebration of Life” service is planned for Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 4 p.m. at the Grand Ronde Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Highway in Grand Ronde, Ore., where she was a member.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of her favorite charities: 

3 Angels Broadcasting Network, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfurt, IL  62896 - www.3abn.org

McMinnville Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 301, McMinnville OR 97128 - www.machabitat.org

 Adamson’s Funeral Home in Sheridan, Ore., is handling the final arrangements.