Adrienne Jacobson

Adrienne Rosenbaum Jacobson passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Adrienne Fred Rosenbaum was born August 27, 1927, to Sam L. Rosenbaum and Ethel Kohn Rosenbaum in her beloved hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. Sam was one of seven children, so Adrienne grew up surrounded by loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. A harbinger of adventures to come, as an infant, with New Orleans facing the risk of a flood, Adrienne was given to the laundry man to be taken upriver to her Aunt Adele and Uncle Henry in Destrehan, LA. While the Rosenbaum clan was large, Adrienne was an only child. Fortunately, Sam’s work in radio and TV led to prolonged stints in Houston allowing her to become closer to her mother’s family there. In an early display of her nurturing spirit and undeniable charisma, she “adopted” her maternal first cousin, Rosamond Cohen Hoechstetter, as her “sister” renaming Rosamond, “Sissy.” Rosamond remains Cissy to this day. In Houston, she attended Albert Sidney Johnston Junior High and went to Sunday School at Beth Israel. She graduated from Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans, where she, despite her diminutive stature, excelled as an athlete playing basketball, volleyball, and swimming. After graduating, she jitterbugged her way through LSU alongside her AEPhi sorority sisters and cousin, Jay Honigblum, until leaving to marry the love of her life, Herbert S. Jacobson. Adrienne joined him in Galveston for his last two years of medical school at UTMB. Adrienne and Herbert both craved the joy of a large family. They married in July 1950 and welcomed their first child, Philip, in August of 1951, followed in 1952 by Larry, their precious baby girl, Cindy, in 1955, and their youngest, Stuart, in 1961. Adrienne was a devoted wife and tireless mother. She and Herbert had the best of times in Galveston (’50-’53), Indiana (’53-’56), and back to Galveston (’56-’59). Adrienne’s ability to make anyone feel like the most important person on the planet, along with her razor-sharp wit, ensured she and Herbert made lifelong friends in each station of their lives, including Elsa and Nathan Laufman (Galveston) and R.D. and Bob Kahn (Indianapolis). In 1959 they settled in Detroit, where Herbert ran the Burn Unit at Henry Ford Hospital and Adrienne met her best friend and partner in crime, Rosalie Mansell. Rosalie’s husband, John, and Herbert, as well as the Jacobson and Mansell children became fast friends, creating a large extended family in Detroit. While Herbert worked very long hours, Adrienne was the glue, engine, and heart of the nuclear family, involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, and anything else she could do for her children. After the first three children graduated college, Adrienne convinced Herbert to leave Detroit and return to Houston to be closer to her beloved cousin, Cissy, her mother, and adored cousins, Phyllis and Ray Wilenzick (Lauren, Wendy, and Marc), in New Orleans. Adrienne and Herbert made many new friends in Houston and reconnected with the Laufmans. Soon after moving to Houston, the next phase of Adrienne’s life’s work began – grandchildren. Beginning with Brad and Jason in 1980, over 16 years, Adrienne collected 11 grandchildren and her three new favorite nicknames (Gram, Caca, and Gaga). The grandchildren never wanted for playful companionship, loving attention, and care. Adrienne was the pied piper for her precious grandchildren when they were young and confidant and life coach as they matured. She will forever be central to all of our hearts. Her dear friend and caregiver, Zenovea (Peaches) Clark, was a constant source of light and joy for Adrienne. A special thank you to her and to the rest of our incredible care team: Peaches’ husband, Kenneth Clark, Sharon & David Bailey, Lillian Jackson, Nancy Johnson, and Dolores Lee, as well as her longtime trainer, Mark Lee. Adrienne is survived by her children, Philip & Elise, Larry & Rita, Cindy, and Stuart & Sheila. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brad Jacobson & Randy Murry, Daniel & Kelsey Jacobson, Melissa & Blake Wilson, Rebecca Jacobson, David & Amy Jacobson, Jason Sax & Lauren Nevitt, David Sax & Kasey Josephs, Aimee Sax & Drew Dorenfest, Alexis & Jimmy Taylor, Claire Jacobson, Sarah & Grant Anhorn, and 12 great-grandchildren. A private funeral service was held. The funeral service was recorded and can be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNzU3NjAxNDM0NjcwOSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== until April 26, 2025.

Adrienne Jacobson

August 27, 1927 - January 21, 2025