By Jim Correale
For The Item
MARBLEHEAD – Selectwoman Judy Jacobi, who died last weekend at the age of 80, is being remembered as a dedicated public servant who was exceptionally generous with her time and energy, whether it was to a nonprofit in the town or a friend in need.
“There was nothing phony about Judy,” said John McGinn, a former town administrator. “She cared deeply about the town of Marblehead. She was someone willing to roll up her sleeves and get the job done.”
McGinn was one of more than 200 people, including family members, elected officials and townspeople, coming together Thursday on Zoom to honor Jacobi, who had been a selectwoman for 20 years and active in civic affairs since she and her husband first bought a home in Marblehead in 1978.
“How do I wrap my head around the Board of Selectmen or our town without Judy,” said Jackie Belf-Becker, chair of the Board of Selectmen.
Rep. Seth Moulton remembered that Jacobi had supported his run for Congress when others were telling him to wait his turn.
“Judy was a modest public servant – quiet and tough, fair and strong, humble yet noble,” Moulton said. “A leader and a friend, Judy worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents. She never shrunk from a tough fight.”
Two of Jacobi’s nieces offered remembrances of their aunt. Ann Brown said that Jacobi’s “love of frogs, bargain hunting and chocolate chip cookies were legendary,” and Gabriella Terrero said, “The loss is immense, both to our family and to the town of Marblehead. Thank you for embracing our Jersey girl.”
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said that Jacobi was always the fire department’s biggest cheerleader. He also shared a personal anecdote.
“Any time I had to do public speaking, Judy would slide next to me, take my hand and say, ‘Jason … You do a wonderful job, but you speak too rapidly. Slow it down.’ I’ll never forget that advice.”
Jacobi, who had been a teacher in New Jersey, came to Marblehead with her husband, Gene, two weeks after the Blizzard of ‘78, purchasing a house overlooking the town’s harbor. Summer residents at first, the two settled permanently in their Front Street home after Gene retired.
Together the Jacobis became deeply involved in the civic life of the town, chairing Marblehead’s 350th anniversary celebration in 1999. The following year, Jacobi successfully ran for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, where she served continuously until her death.
Gene died in 2015, after a battle with cancer. Many of those who spoke on Zoom had warm memories for him as well, and more than one person referred to the couple as “Mr. and Mrs. Marblehead.”
“Judy and Gene gave their all to the town of Marblehead,” Belf-Becker said.
Judy served on both the Fort Sewall Oversight Committee and the Abbot Hall Building Committee and, according to a statement posted on the town’s website on Monday, “These projects would not have come to fruition without her fundraising tenacity, leadership, and love and appreciation for the history of Marblehead.”
Jacobi also served as chair of the Friends of the Council on Aging, where she made sure senior citizens in the town had a strong advocate, and she was deeply involved with Anchor to Windward, the Old Marblehead Improvement Association, the League of Women Voters, the Female Humane Society, and Care Dimensions, among other organizations.
In recognition of her service and leadership in the town, Jacobi was presented with the Ray Moulton Person of the Year award by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce in 2017.
After two hours of anecdotes and tributes — including the reading of two poems written in Jacobi’s honor – the Zoom session ended with a seven-minute clip from a 2017 interview on Marblehead community TV. Host James Maroney asked Jacobi how she got on with life after the death of her husband.
“When I get up in the morning,” she said, “I remind myself on a daily basis how lucky I am to live here.”