Sally Jacobs Obituary

Sally Martin (Cope) Jacobs
ORONO -- Sally Martin (Cope) Jacobs died peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 12, 2012, after a year- long battle with cancer. She spent the last weeks surrounded by loving friends and family at her home in Orono.
She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Richard Morris Jacobs, Ph.D., professor emeritus of music at the University of Maine.
She was born in New York City, the daughter of Joseph Howard and Eunice (Adams) Cope and transplanted to the Black Hills of South Dakota where she graduated from Rapid City High School in 1954. She received a B.A. in Chemistry from Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado, where she met her husband. They attended the University of Iowa together where she received an M.S. in Biochemistry. In 1963 they moved to Orono, where they raised their family. She taught Biochemistry at the University of Maine for 35 years.
Sally enjoyed nature and all outdoor activities, which fueled her boundless energy for conservation. She was a dedicated camp counselor and swim instructor for many years at Camp Mechawana and active in her church. One of her favorite places to get away from it all was the family camp near Lubec. Always an avid paddler she recently discovered her enjoyment of fishing on the Penobscot River. Her gardens were lovingly nurtured by her and enjoyed by all.
In 1975 she began a long career in establishing biking trails in Maine, and served as the chair of the Bicycle Safety Committee in Orono. After procuring funding for bike trails connecting Orono, Old Town and the University of Maine she went on to become the founding president of the Sunrise Trail Coalition, a position she held for twelve years. Her most recent dream-come-true was the opening of the 85-mile Down East Sunrise Trail built on a rail banked corridor along the coast of Maine. For all her work on Rails-to-Trails she was honored in October 2011 in Washington, D.C., by the Rails- to-Trails Conservancy as a Rail-Trail champion. Sally also had the privilege of serving on the board of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust from 1995-2007 and continued to remain active on the Lands Committee until this year.
She has received over 25 awards for her work in her
Sally Martin
(Cope) Jacobs
community, the State of Maine and the nation including: The Jefferson Award for Extraordinary Public Service in 1989, awarded by President Reagan at the White House; The Steve Gould Award from the University of Maine for 'Outstanding Service to the University and its Ideals;' The National Park Service Conservation Hero award in 2007; The Maryann Hartman Award in 2007; The State of Maine 2010 Leadership Award; A certificate of Affection and Appreciation from the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for her service from 1964-2003; and the first inaugural Mighty Women of Washington County Elder Award. She was the founding President of the Orono Land Trust over 25 years ago, and was honored by that organization in October 2012 with a memorial plaque on the Piney Knoll conservation area. She also received an award from the Orono Police and Fire Departments for 'Heroism exhibited in saving a Life,' which she received for rescuing a young man from drowning in the Stillwater River in 1987.
Sally was a loving mother, grandmother, friend and a true force of nature.
She is survived by her partner, Louis Hall, Ed. D.; daughters, Stephanie Lull and husband Gregory of Portland, Jennifer Leech and husband Andrew of Durham, N.C., son, Jefferson Martin Jacobs and wife Carla of Bend, Ore.; four grandchildren, Zachary Jacobs Lull, Connor Jacobs Leech and Quincy Grace Leech and Rowan Mara Jacobs; her sister Penny (Cope) Cutler of Jenkintown, Pa.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends are invited to gather with the family from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Orono Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 72 Main St., in Orono. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St., Orono, with the Rev. Lorna Grenfell, celebrant. Family and friends are invited to a reception in the church vestry following the service. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Donations in honor and loving memory of Sally may be made
to the Orono Land Trust at http://www.oronolandtrust.org/
or to the New Hope Hospice
Memorial Fund at http://www.newhopehospice. org/donate/.

Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Nov. 14, 2012.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Sally Jacobs

Not sure what to say?





I am pleased to say that Sally and I worked together to establish the Downeast Bikeway, from Brewer to Lubec.

John Picher

November 8, 2022

I worked on numerous trails in my position with the Department of Conservation and Sally was a valued volunteer in the Trails Coalition which we formed to provide a closer working relationship with trail users. Sally was extremely involved in all trail funding undertaken by our State Trails Program and I missed her cooperation/coordination after retiring.

John Picher, Director of Engineering and Realty, Maine Department of Conser

Work

November 8, 2021

I think of Sally whenever I see photos of the Downeast Sunrise Trail, or when I pass by it along the highway. She and I worked together with folks at MDOT to get the project going. It's hard to believe that MDOT donated the old rail and ties to the project and that the low bid allowed construction with a minimal amount of MDOT cash. Since then, literally thousands of people have been able to use the trail for biking, ATV, snowmobile, equestrian, and other uses. She had championed the trail for over 25 years prior to our getting together with other trail interests to make it come to fruition. It's sad that she couldn't have lived longer to enjoy it for many years. Rest in peace Sally. You did a great thing and I'm proud to have known you.

John Picher

Acquaintance

November 8, 2019

Weekly, as we fly on our mountain bikes past Sally's memorial on the River Trail I shout out loud, "Hi Sally, thanks for helping us secure access!", mostly so other riders can appreciate that we are there because of Sally's efforts. Rubber side down, John Frachella.

John Frachella

Friend

November 8, 2019

Jacob family...Jeff especially. Janie here, mother of TK & Mollie Cardoza. Your mother was my chem professor as well as a role model and advisor for my soul. She was a guarding light for me and I went to her often for advice. And you Jeff, were always a ray of sunshine, humor and frienship in our home. Teak, Mollie (and I also!) always missed you once we moved from Orono. The loved ones of Sally now have a very special angel watching over, as she did in life! We were all blessed by her energy and life. My only regret....that I never contacted her, of late, to let her know how much she impacted my happy life. See you on the other side Sally.

Janie Cardoza-Crowell

November 26, 2012

I had the great pleasure of knowing Sally for many years and working with her on various committees and projects, especially the 85 mile Down East Rail Trail. It's nice that many of her dreams came true, so she could enjoy them. Rest in Peace Sally, your dreams live on.

John Picher

November 20, 2012

Thanks go out to everyone for their support and kind thoughts and memories at this difficult time. Hug your loved ones, get outside and sing a happy tune

Stephanie Lull

November 19, 2012

At the risk of offending my own family and loved ones (heaven knows that has never happened before)...

Sally is the finest human being I have ever known, without doubt and without question.

John Moriarty, Old Town

john moriarty

November 17, 2012

I first met Sally when she was fighting to protect the Penjajawok Marsh from development and later worked with her at the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. In her conservation work, she was so dedicated, so effective, such an inspiration to others and always, always so humble and accommodating. My thoughts are with her family and, especially, Stephanie, Gregory and Zachary Lull.

John Tewhey

November 17, 2012

Having had the great fortune of seeing Sally in action on behalf of the various conservation initiatives she so dearly loved I was only more impressed with her genuine love of people and he open and welcoming manner. Sally was a true gem who clearly loved her life and I am sure she will be greatly missed by those closer to her, my sympathy is with you.

Christopher Franklin

November 17, 2012

I knew Sally when she taught student nurses in the Biochemistry Department at the university back in the late 70's. She was sweet to work for - I was the secretary for a while back then. She was always happy, smiling and interested in her students and everyone. I had a lot of respect for her work on the bike paths and am sorry to hear that she has passed away. My most sincere condolences to her children and to Louie Hall.

Becky Anderson

November 16, 2012

Keeping you all in heart and mind.

Wishing you all peace,


Meg Callaway and family

November 16, 2012

We will always remember the time your folks tapped a telephone pole for maple syrup making fun of Merle's maple sugaring. A photo of the event was in the paper. Many great laughs we had.

Ann and Merle Lounsbury

November 16, 2012

Sally was dedicated to Maine and standing up for the natural beauty and resources of our state. At the same time she knew people gain well being by being in this natural beauty. In many ways she was a mentor for me. I always loved seeing Sally at meetings over the last 20 years - her positive and joyous nature spread to those around her. She attacked complicated issues with grace. I am missing her.
Lucy McCarthy.

November 16, 2012

Every time that I have come to Orono to visit my parents I always visit the Bog Walk which Sally was involved with..... her vitality is a blow to the community and friends, but her contributions will resonate forever...

Deborah Carville-Welton

November 15, 2012

Jeff,
My dad told me about your mom. She was an amazing women. A great story about her was when we were teaching our dog to swim. Your mom was on the rock in the middle of the river. She kept encouraging Barley to swim. I can still hear her laughter.

Alison Bayer

November 15, 2012

A tremendous loss to family, friends and community. She lived life fully - a model of how to make the most of every minute. She was always smiling. She loved people - she made me feel like I was her best friend whenever we spoke. She was a gem.

Gloria Vollmers

November 15, 2012

Sally's efforts to secure access for bikes in the Orono woods is legendary. She has been the exemplar for a large group of avid mountain bikers for over 20 years. There are many of us who, when we ride the roots and rocks on Orono singletrack, always mention her name. Thank you Sally for being my biochem prof at UMO decades ago and thanks for all the happy trails. You will not be forgotten. We'll remember you the most as we ride.

John Frachella

November 14, 2012

I am sorry to learn of Sally's passing. My condolences go out to her family. I knew her quite well in my youth. May her memory be eternal~
Stephen Page and Family ~Amherst, MA

Stephen Pagw

November 14, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of Sally's death. She was a great inspiration to me as an undergraduate som 30 years back at the University of Maine.
She was one of the deciding factors in my decision to go to graduate school-in a time where women appeared to have to give up their lives to education, Sally proved that you could be 'normal'. Professor Penelope Perkins-Veazie, NC State University

November 14, 2012

The news of Sally's passing came as an awful shock. My respect for the way she went about things, her tencity, her outlook, her accomplishments, grew with every year we served together on the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. She really is a hero to conservation in downeast Maine. She will be sorely missed. I will miss her.
Thanks, Sally
Pete Rand

Peter Rand

November 14, 2012

Peg Markson

November 14, 2012

If heaven has no bike trails,
nor any long forgotten rails
Sally'll be the first bring
Peddle powered bikes with wings

Jim Fisher

November 14, 2012

I met Sally through the MDOT Bike/Ped council and very quickly became aware of her ability to touch and change lives.
She has been and will continue to be an inspiration to me as long as I live.

Bob Bruce

November 14, 2012

It is with complete sadness and thankfulness that I send this note to the Jacobs family. I was welcomed into the Jacobs family of friends back when I was a graduate student with Richard Jacobs. Building the dry wall that faces Bennoch Rd and assisting with laserdisc data entry to his catalog made me a frequent visitor to their home. It was then that I met Sally and I had never met a more gracious family. Even after Dick's passing, Sally would stay in touch and even made a long trek to Yarmouth to see my quartet, The Management, reunite in 2008. We tried, but just could not, reconnect this summer and that missed opportunity is what weighs heavy on my heart today. However, my celebration is that my life was uplifted by Sally. To her family and partner Louis Hall, all I can say is that fond memories fill my heart today. I am a better person for knowing her and I can best be a legacy by paying her joy for life forward to all.

Michael Martin

November 14, 2012

Sally was an inspiration to many of us when working for environmental concerns was still a new and radical idea. Blessings on her.

November 14, 2012

I only got to spend a few minutes with Sally, having met her once two years ago and then again last week. Even those brief times were enough to show me what an amazing and wonderful person she was. I'm sorry to have missed the chance to get to know her better. It was my good fortune to meet and spend a few hours with her children last week. Sally and her values live on through them.

Tim Anderson

November 14, 2012

To Sally's family,
I was fortunate to meet Sally in 1998 when I was organizing the Dirigo Pines Retirement Community Development in Orono. Sally was a terrific advocate and greatly assisted in my efforts to create a user friendly campus with easy access to established hiking trails managed by the Orono Land Trust. She was a huge help and supporter and truly had a huge passion for all things that she loved in others, the great outdoors and all of her surroundings. I am truly honored to have known her and extend Jane's and my heartfelt condolences.

Scott Johnson

November 14, 2012

Dear Family,I'm so sorry for your loss. Sally was such a special lady. She will be forever in many hearts.

Susan Tuholski

November 14, 2012

I have never met a more amazing woman in my life. The times that I was privileged to spend with her will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sally's beautiful family and all who loved her.

Norma Patterson

November 14, 2012

**sad face**

Sally was one of my other 'Moms' growing up and will be missed greatly. Keeping good thoughts for the family that I consider part of mine.

November 14, 2012

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