{"id":8716648,"date":"2023-01-14T14:56:34","date_gmt":"2023-01-14T22:56:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8716648&preview=true&preview_id=8716648"},"modified":"2023-01-14T15:27:53","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T23:27:53","slug":"sandy-jacobs-el-segundos-first-woman-mayor-dies-at-80","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/14\/sandy-jacobs-el-segundos-first-woman-mayor-dies-at-80\/","title":{"rendered":"Sandy Jacobs, El Segundo\u2019s first woman mayor, dies at 80"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tyler Shaun Evains | The Beach Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sandra \u201cSandy\u201d Jacobs, the first woman to serve as El Segundo\u2019s mayor and as president of the local chamber of commerce, has died, according to the city. She was 80.<\/p>\n

Jacobs, who also served on the boards of multiple local organizations, died earlier this month, El Segundo announced on Friday, Jan. 13. In 2007, Jacobs was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease. Yet, she remained active despite her limitations.<\/p>\n

\u201cSandy\u2019s contributions to the City of El Segundo cannot be overstated,\u201d the city said in a press release. \u201cShe was integral to shaping the city into the thriving community that it is today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former mayor was born Sandra Carol Garrard on Jan. 20, 1942, in Kentucky. Her family moved to El Segundo in the early 1950s when her father got a job in the aerospace industry.<\/p>\n

She graduated from El Segundo High School in 1960 and then attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton. During her time at the university, she worked as a camp counselor for the Girl Scouts, earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in group work, recreation and elementary education \u2014 and met her husband, Karl Jacobs.<\/p>\n

Her first job after graduating was teaching children with autism.<\/p>\n

Besides Stockton, the Jacobs family, including daughter Jennifer, also lived in Reseda and Phoenix before moving back to El Segundo in 1981.<\/p>\n

Jacobs eventually became president of her family\u2019s business, South Bay Welder\u2019s Supply, Inc. But she didn\u2019t stop there. She also opened her own business, House of Cards, and co-owned the jewelry company Pinsational with her husband.<\/p>\n

Jacobs became the first woman president of the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce in 1989, and made further history in 1996 \u2014 by becoming mayor.<\/p>\n

She served as the city\u2019s elected leader until 1998 and then continued as mayor pro-tem until 2004.<\/p>\n

El Segundo did not have another woman mayor for 16 years. Suzanne Fuentes was El Segundo\u2019s second woman mayor, serving from 2014 to 2018.<\/p>\n

Jacobs was more than an elected official, however.<\/p>\n

She also served on more than a dozen civic and charitable organizations, including the El Segundo Rotary Club and the El Segundo Economic Development Committee; was a founding member of Downtown El Segundo, Inc.; was the first president of the Library Board of Trustees; and was named Switzer Center\u2019s South Bay Woman of the Year in 1999.<\/p>\n

She also contributed regularly to Castaway Kids, an organization in Guaymas, Mexico, that assists children and families with education and housing.<\/p>\n

And before, during and after serving on the City Council, Jacobs played a vital role in the downtown revitalization project, as well as the town\u2019s mural program and downtown signage initiative.<\/p>\n

Mayor Drew Boyles said in a statement that Jacobs was always generous with her time, and was a source of expertise and encouragement to the next generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was a dear friend and mentor to me and many others in our wonderful city,\u201d Boyles said in the statement. \u201cShe will be missed tremendously.\u201d<\/p>\n

His fellow city officials also remembered Jacobs\u2019 presence in El Segundo.<\/p>\n

\u201cEl Segundo lost a leader, servant and friend with Sandy\u2019s passing,\u201d Councilmember Carol Pirsztuk said in a statement. \u201cThankfully, her legacy will live on as she helped set the path forward for our city and future leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councilmember Lance Giroux described Jacobs as a trailblazer who loved the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had a bright and ready smile, coupled with a depth of knowledge and love for the City of El Segundo,\u201d Giroux said in a statement. \u201cShe was a true pioneer for women, and I am a better person for having known her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jacobs is survived by her husband, Karl Jacobs; her daughter, Jennifer Jacobs; her grandson, Jacob Levy; her brother Elwyn Garrard and his partner, Kit Kerwick; and many more family members in California, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.<\/p>\n