Wanda Jacobs

Our Beloved Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grandmother, Wanda Irene Jacobs, surrounded at home by her loving family, peacefully transitioned from this earthly life to one of infinite love and eternity on July 18, 2013, at the age of 91. To say that Wanda was mother only to our family feels inaccurate in that she truly was a mother to so many. Everyone who knew her loved her and realized through that love that each and every one was indeed special. She was born March 29, 1922, in Hartfield Springfield, Missouri, into a large farm family to Marjorie and Lawrence A. Nichols. At the tender age of 19, she married the love of her life, Calvin E. Jacobs, in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 4, 1941. After Cal shipped off to the South Pacific with the U.S. Air Force during WWII, Wanda relocated to Los Angeles, California, to be close to her eldest sister and await his return. During the war, Wanda joined the iconic stateside female workforce known as Rosie the Riveter working in the ship yards. She loved this job knowing she was helping to support the troops. As soon as Cal got wind of her new job, he demanded she return to life as a homemaker as all good wives should, but he was met appropriately with stubborn opposition. After Cal returned at the Wars end, their efforts to conceive a child over an extended period of years appeared fruitless. Brokenhearted at not having a child, Wanda sought work with Capital and RCA recording studios. The industry loved her and she moved quickly up the ranks becoming an executive assistant to the vice president and eventually a star handler. Her years in this industry were filled with excitement, which tempered the disappointment in not having a child. Finally, on January 13, 1959, Cal and Wanda welcomed their only child, Leslie Gail Parraguirre. Due to Leslies health issues at the time, the family relocated to Las Vegas in 1960. Wanda became ingrained in education at Paradise Elementary school, working not only in the classroom, but as a fully dedicated member of the Parent Teacher Association. Around 1965, Wanda went to work in the Culinary Arts program at the experimental trade high school, known as VoTech. She remained employed by CCSD until Cal became terminally ill in 1985, requiring her to take an early retirement. Throughout her life in Las Vegas, she was active in volunteering for numerous charities along with all levels of political campaigns. Her passion for giving to others and her volunteer work was at the core of what mattered most to Wanda. Her first granddaughter Micala Cali Jayne Holtzman was born in 1986. Wanda stepped up to help Leslie care for Cali so Leslie, a single mother, could continue to grow her company, Colours, Inc. Sadly, Cal lost his battle to cancer in 1988. In 1992, Leslie married then municipal court Judge Ron D. Parraguirre, who currently sits on the Nevada Supreme Court. Ron was the son Wanda always hoped for. In 1994, Wandas family was blessed with a second, adored granddaughter, Jilliann Grace, whom she too dedicated her life to help raise and care for. Wandas life was so complete because she continuously found her total joy in her family. Whether it was the ritual of the homecooked holiday feasts together or the many vacations to Bridgeport, Montana or Laguna Beach, it was all about the love of family and togetherness. Wanda was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Cal, sisters Georgia and Lenora, and Brother Richard. She is survived by her daughter Leslie Parraguirre Justice Ron D. Parraguirre, granddaughters Micala Holtzman, Craig and Jilliann Parraguirre, and most adored great granddaughter Olive Irene. Additionally, she is survived by her sisters Helen, Penny and Virginia. A celebration of Wandas life is being held Tuesday August 20, at 4:00 p.m. at Faith Community Lutheran Church, 2700 So. Town Center Dr., Las Vegas, 89135. The Church phone is 7029212700. Our Family deeply appreciates every kindness extended and all the love and support rendered to date. In lieu of flowers, Wandas wishes were that in her memory, wellintended donations be given to the good work being done at M.D. Anderson for cancer research in Houston Texas Canyon Ridge Christian Church for the build out of their new chapel and to Nathan Adelson Hospice, who for the second time, has gently and with the most loving hands helped this family like the angels that they are, pass our beloved over to everlasting life. Davis Funeral Home .