Lorena N. Jacoby

JACOBY LORENA, N., the original "Miss Amazon", age 91, died November 24, 2002, at her home, 16 months after a severe stroke. Rene was born July 23, 1911, in Indianapolis, IN. She moved permanently to Miami in 1947 with her husband, Harry Jacoby. After Harry's death in 1973, Rene became president and owner of Amazon Hose and Rubber Company seeing the industrial distributorship into its 83rd year of success. Following Rene's vision, Amazon is the largest independent hose distributor in the south with five locations and 75 employees. Rene was a dynamic and charming pioneer who traveled around the world, owned thoroughbred racehorses, learned to fly and raced powerboats in the fifties and sixties with her daughter, Gale Petronis. The racing team was featured in the February 1966 edition of Sports Illustrated in an article titled, "A Lipstick May Fall in the Bilge". She was the first woman to enter the Miami-Nassau ocean power boat race and broke many stereotypes with style and determination. Rene was a Member of Marine Council, Propeller Club, Design Center, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Navy League, The Admirals of the Fleet of Florida, NAHAD, Rotary, and a Paul Harris Fellow. Rene is survived by her only daughter, Gale Petronis of Orlando, FL; her only grandchild, Summer Rodman of Orlando, FL; and one sister Mildred Shelton of Lake Placid, FL. Friends may wish to contribute to The Coconut Grove Playhouse, 3500 Main Highway, Miami, FL 33133. Viewing will be today from 6-8 at Lithgow, 15011 West Dixie Highway, (305) 940-6304. Memorial service tomorrow at 11 a.m.