Gitta K. Jacobs

1933 - 2018

June 19, 1933– December 7, 2018 Gitta K. Jacobs of Chicago, Illinois passed away peacefully at home, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Her generous spirit, sense of humor and work ethic earned her the love and admiration of friends and family alike. Gitta was born in Vienna, Austria in 1933, the daughter of prominent Jewish parents, Franz and Paula Kaperl. In 1939, her parents recognized the Nazi threat and sent six-year-old Gitta to live in hiding with her nanny. In 1941, the family escaped with the clothes on their backs. They resettled in Kansas City, Mo. where they learned English through movies and radio. Franz built another successful business and encouraged Gitta to pursue her education at Northwestern University, where she studied theater. While in college, she met Anthony Jacobs, who she married during her junior year. Gitta and Anthony raised their six children in Glencoe until their divorce in 1979. As a single woman, Gitta returned to Northwestern to complete her undergraduate degree, earned a master's in film and became active in Chicago's vibrant theater community. She joined the boards of several small theater companies and was proud of her role as an associate producer of the first national tour of "Angels in America," and investments in many local productions, including "Pump Boys and Dinettes." She was passionate about her role as a judge on the "Jeff" Committee, often attending more than a dozen productions a month. Gitta was a generous supporter several charities, especially Misericordia Home, where Sister Rosemary Connelly and the wonderful staff have looked after her son Billy Jacobs for over 40 years. She also spent over 20 years volunteering at the NICU unit at Children's Memorial Hospital, giving comfort to the infants and their families. She is survived by her children Tracey Jacobs, Clayton Jacobs (Laura Ginett), Zachary Jacobs, Jennifer Jacobs Geis (Douglas), Billy Jacobs and Christopher Jacobs. Adored by her grandchildren Kristina, John Patrick, Erin Kathleen, Kiley, Luke and Greer Jacobs and Jarrett and Sarah Kreger; Charlie, William and Matthew Geis; Calvin De Castro and great-grandchildren, Jimmer Jacobs and Henry Bosch. A memorial service will be held at Misericordia Home on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Misericordia Home, www.misericordia.com, in Chicago, Illinois.