Narlene Susan Jacobs

Narlene Susan Jacobs, age 85, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, warmth, and a genuine love for the people whose lives she touched.

Born on January 30, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, Narlene was the beloved daughter of Moses and Blanche Wolfe Friedenberg. From an early age, she possessed a a natural gift for connecting with others - a quality that would define her throughout her remarkable life.

Narlene pursued her passion for the visual arts as a graduate of the Germaine School of Photography, and her talent behind the lens was undeniable. She had a particular gift for capturing the quiet elegance of flowers, and her photographs were displayed with pride at various art shows - a testament to her artistic vision and dedication to her craft. Beyond photography, she found joy and fulfillment in sewing, beading and bracelet making, pouring her creativity into everything she made. Anyone she came in contact with usually left with one of her bracelets.

She devoted many years to the business office of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she thrived among the energy of students and colleagues alike. Those who knew her in that setting will remember her warmth, her readiness to lend a helping hand, and the genuine interest she took in the people around her. Narlene had a rare and wonderful gift - she could strike up a heartfelt conversation with nearly anyone she met and insist on taking their photograph.

But it was her family that brought Narlene her deepest joy. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren, and her love for them was boundless and unconditional. Her presence was a gift that all who knew her will carry in their hearts.

Narlene is survived by her son, Michael Jacobs, and his wife Jodi; her daughter, Wendy Sochovka, and her husband Robert; her grandchildren, Madelyn Jacobs, Justin Sochovka and his husband Nick Cramer, Brandon Sochovka and his wife Jordan Sochovka, and Corey Sochovka; and her great-grandchild, Brady Sochovka, who will one day know how deeply he was loved by her.

May her memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her, and may her spirit find peace in the gentle light she so often sought to capture through her lens.

Services will be private, for immediate family.