HANOVER, NH — Caroline Freeman Jacobson, age 91, died on September 29, 2020 in Hanover, NH. She was born on May 21, 1929 in Middlebury, VT, to Stephen Albert Freeman and Ruth Hayden Freeman.
Caroline was an educator, traveler, intellectual, and activist. Most of all, she was a vibrant and loving presence for everyone who knew her.
A graduate of Northfield (1947), Wellesley (BA in English, 1951), Simmons (MLS, 1962), and Middlebury (MA in French, 1955), Caroline thrived in intellectually stimulating environments. As a teacher in the U.S. and in France in the 1950’s she loved helping students broaden their horizons and explore their interests. She was always eager to make resources available, to help take a question further. As she put it, she loved “finding out how to find out” which prompted her interest in libraries and library science.
Time spent outdoors was always restorative for Caroline. As a young woman she enjoyed hikes with the Appalachian Mountain Club. At a church youth group she met a “very handsome guy” named Albert Jacobson who, like her, enjoyed being outdoors more than going to cocktail parties. Caroline and Al were married on June 24, 1961. By 1967 they had settled in Needham, MA, which was their home for 42 years.
Caroline and Al delighted in being parents. They brought to child-rearing all of the considerable skills, patience, and passion which they had developed as teachers. Their mutual love of the natural world and of being outdoors was joyfully shared with their kids, who grew up exploring the salt marshes of Cape Cod and the woods and hills of Vermont and New Hampshire.
Throughout her life Caroline promoted education, peace and justice. Whether through volunteer work (for Action for Children’s Television, the Social Concerns committee at the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, weekly peace vigils, etc.), or her self-described “badgering” of politicians, she made sure her voice was heard.
Caroline and Al traveled the nation and the globe, enthralled by every culture and community they visited. After moving to Kendal at Hanover in 2009, they delighted in that wonderfully stimulating, caring community full of interesting people. And, from that happy home base, they together explored the towns and landscapes of New England until Al’s death in 2016.
The major diminishments of Caroline’s last months, though very real, could not erase her zest for living in connection with others. Her eagerness to learn the names and stories of every caregiver and visitor, and her fervent hopes to see everyone again soon, were with her to the end!
Caroline leaves behind: sister Hope Freeman Schultz (J. Donald Schultz); brother Harvey Freeman (Christine Lord); son Barry Jacobson (Amy S. Welch); daughter Amy Jacobson Grove (Allen Grove); grandchildren Nathaniel Albert Jacobson Grove and Abigail Ruth Jacobson Grove; beloved nieces and nephews and all of their families; and many other beloved relatives and friends.
A private graveside service will be held in Middlebury, VT when circumstances allow.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.