Margaret Mary Jacobsen

Margaret Mary JacobsenDecember 3, 1919-November 4, 2026

Margaret Mary Jacobsen died peacefully on November 4, 2026 at the age of 106. She was born December 3, 1919, in King City, California, to Frank and Mary Tunzi. She attended local schools and went on to study journalism.

In 1938, Margaret married Ben Jacobsen, a printer. When Ben bought the Soledad Bee in 1948, Margaret put her journalism studies to work. Together they published the weekly newspaper for nearly 20 years while raising their two children and taking an active part in the life of Soledad. They sold the Bee in 1967 and continued to make their home in Soledad.

Margaret continued writing as a freelancer and helped found the Garden Club and the Soledad Historical Society. In 2011, she became the first woman named Soledad’s Citizen of the Year.

After Ben’s death in 1995, Margaret edited a collection of his columns from the Bee. The stories captured everyday life in Soledad in the 1950s and 1960s and the changes taking place in the town they loved. Margaret dedicated the book to her grandchildren, all of whom were city dwellers.

Margaret later moved to San Jose to be near family. Her family took inspiration from the purposeful life she led and loved being around her for her positive outlook and the twinkle in her eye.

Margaret is survived by her son, Jan (Jean) Jacobsen of Denver, Colorado and her daughter, Linda (Lee) Hayward of San Jose, California, as well as five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Jacobsen; her parents, Frank and Mary Tunzi; her brother, Frank Tunzi; and her sister, Audrey Meurer.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.