JACOBS, Joan Kathleen (Heffernan) Of Needham. She was a beacon of light, love and laughter for her large extended family and many friends. She passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, March 2nd, surrounded by loved ones.
Raised in Jamaica Plain, Joan was one of 9 children of the late Dr. Roy & Kathleen (Walsh) Heffernan. She graduated from Jamaica Plain High School and attended Mass College of Art. Joan married Albert E. Jacobs and lovingly raised six children in Needham. She will be long remembered for her ability to bring out the best in everyone. Joans laughter, which required little prompting, was unrestrained, infectious, and unforgettable. Her boundless enthusiasm and generosity invited those around her to share her joyful, optimistic view of the world, and inspired two of her sons to create the Boston-based Life is good Company. Joan was known for her creativity, which she expressed through spirited stories, songs, paintings, and illustrated cards for friends and family far and wide. She enjoyed hiking, skiing and swimming in the great outdoors. She taught children arts and crafts and created havens of love and kindness in the home and neighborhood where she resided for 55 years. Joan co-founded The Aquinas Club in Jamaica Plain and Great Plain Squares in Needham. She was a devout Catholic and longtime member of St. Joseph Parish in Needham.
Joan is survived by her husband Albert of 56 years and their six children and in-laws: Eileen (Jacobs) & Joseph Manning of Needham, Auberta Jacobs of Needham, Edward & Michelle (Bryne) Jacobs of Wellesley, Allan & Janis (Allen) Jacobs of Framingham, Albert Jacobs of Boston, and John & Jessica (Hartman) Jacobs of Boston. She was the beloved sister of Roy Heffernan (deceased) of Jamaica Plain; Margaret (Heffernan) Laughlin of Medfield; Sheila (Heffernan) Clark of Needham; Michael Heffernan of Needham; (John) Timothy Heffernan (deceased) of Bow, NH; David Heffernan (deceased) of Sun City Center, FL; Thomas Heffernan of Montrose, CO; and James Heffernan of Hanover, NH.
Relatives and friends will gather for visiting hours on Thursday, March 27, from 4-8pm at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave, NEEDHAM. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 28, 10am at St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave., Needham. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joan's honor to The Life is good Kids Foundation: https://lifeisgood.fundraise.com/honoring-joan-jacobs or via mail at LIG Playmakers, 51 Melcher Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02210.