Margaret M. Jacoby was born on November 10, 1930, and deceased on April 21, 2024 as a resident of Mount Saint Rita in Cumberland.
She was an astronomer and the observatory at Community College of Rhode Island is named in her honor. She was the founder of the College’s physics department and secured the funding for the construction of the observatory which was constructed in 1978. Margaret shared her love of astronomy not only with her students, but also with countless families who visited her observatory for a glimpse of our beautiful universe. Her dedication to science and teaching was acknowledged on November 15, 1995, when the observatory was rechristened the “Margaret M. Jacoby Observatory.” Margaret’s commitment to teaching can be summarized by the following quote in an article by David Huestis in 2004 which states, “I think it is important not just to make scientists out of (students) but to open them up to the universe, so that when they read things in the paper or on TV, they can be a little more critical because they have some background.”
One of the high points of her career was a trip on the QE2 where she was a guest lecturer and astronomer for the voyage. She recounted that experience with a smile. She travelled worldwide to view eclipses, comets and other events.
She is now at rest amongst the stars, comets and planets she so loved. She would be delighted to know that you visited the observatory named in her honor.
A funeral mass is scheduled in her honor, at St. Teresa’s Church, Newport Avenue, Pawtucket at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Burial shall be private.
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