October 2020
Michael Jacobson, JD '69
Michael Jacobson, of Margate, New Jersey, was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather – the penultimate family man. When he wasn't practicing law, rowing, providing counsel, or raising his four children, Michael worked toward the betterment of the South Jersey community. He was an honorable, modest man of integrity, truly an old-fashioned gentleman who always acted with the utmost morality. All who knew him revered him and knew of his love for athletics, a good humorous story, and time well spent with friends, family, and his many dogs, preferably with a nice glass of wine. Michael was born in Atlantic City, NJ on August 3, 1943, and passed away from complications due to an aortic aneurism on October 16 in Philadelphia, PA. The son of Anne and Howard Jacobson, Michael graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1961 where he was a varsity member of the school's baseball and swim teams. He was a veteran of the Margate City Beach Patrol and won the 1964 South Jersey Doubles Championship as well as the 1967 Margate Memorials with his partner. A graduate of Temple University in 1965, Michael was also a varsity member of the school's baseball and swim teams. Afterward, he attended Baylor University Law School. There, he met the love of his life, Sarah Harris, weeks before graduating. The two quickly married and settled in Dallas, Texas where he practiced law. A few years later, together, Michael and Sarah returned to Margate, NJ, where he set up his own highly successful law practice, a joint managing practice at Jacobson & Winkelstein, and later joined Cooper Levenson as a senior partner in 1987, where he practiced until his passing. Michael believed education was the key to success and devoted his time to helping Stockton University grow and expand. He served on both the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Board of Trustees (prior Chair of the Trustee Board for two terms) from 1985 until his passing and The Richard Stockton College Foundation Board in addition to setting up numerous scholarship funds in the memories of his parents and in-laws. He was a member of Temple Emeth Shalom in Margate, the synagogue founded by his father, where he served as president for many years.
Michael is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah Jacobson, four children, daughter, and son-in-law Jenessa and David Hoffman, son and daughter-in-law Colleen and Daniel Jacobson, daughters Laura Jacobson and Julianna Jacobson; seven grandchildren, Lilah, Jake and Benjamin Hoffman; and Kieran, Jack, Gavin, and Isla Jacobson; and adored cousins Mark Zinder, Debbie, and Dr. Lee Ratner, and Gayle and Dr. Alan Weinberg.
Susan Terrell Potter, JD '76
Susan Terrell Potter passed away suddenly Friday, August 7. Born August 13, 1949, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to her parents George Edmond “Ed” Terrell, Jr., and Billie Howard Terrell. Susan graduated from Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri. She received a BA, Cum Laude, in History from Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU), a Master of Library Science from North Texas State University (now UNT), a Juris Doctor from Baylor University (Honors List, Law Review), and Teacher Certification (focus in Special Education) from ACT. Survived by her husband of 34 years (August 12th), Glen, her son Will, her nephew Marcus (Chicago), her brother George Edmond Terrell, III, (Athens), and many loving and much-loved nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Billie. She was a Baptist at heart, in spirit … and in music, but she also loved attending St. Andrew UMC, Plano, the friendships and fellowship she had there … yet she would occasionally have to go home and listen to Tennessee Ernie Ford. Along with Ernie Ford, she loved The Statler Brothers, Mamas & Papas, The Gatlin Brothers, The Village People, and loved listening to the “March of the Day” on the classical radio station in her car before school with a donut or biscuit, and Diet Coke watching the ducks at a city pond. She was a voracious (and scary-fast) reader across many genres (classic British mysteries mostly, but also true-crime books which she also watched a lot on the ID Channel). Susan worked at Texas State Technical Institute (now TSTC), Waco; Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Houston, as an Attorney and later as a Business Manager; AT&T in Parsippany, New Jersey; as an attorney in a private practice in Gun Barrel City, Texas, and later as Assistant District Attorney and Assistant County Attorney for Henderson County, Texas; and DeSoto Public Library, DeSoto, Texas, as the Young People's Librarian. From 2006 to present, Dr. Potter taught at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas, in the Special Education department, though she was also a Substitute Teacher and a Teacher's Aide in CFBISD several years prior to that. She was also the Head Coach for the school Bowling team for two years, and later, a Coach for school UIL Spelling Team for three years. She also assisted in Debate and district Law Academy Mock Trial prep and judging. She loved God and Jesus, her family and friends, traveling, and teaching her students whether they were actually in her official school classes, or anyone who needed her extra-curricular life-skills instruction.
Kathleen "Kamie" Salome Smith, JD '89
Kathleen "Kamie" Salome Smith passed away surrounded by family in her beloved home on Monday, Sept. 28, at the age of 56. She had been battling colorectal cancer and put up a spirited fight without losing her smile for more than 14 months. She was a loving mother of three daughters and a sister to five. She had Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and English from Vanderbilt University ('86), where she also founded the school's first Spanish newspaper. She went on to study law at Baylor University ('89), then spent about 30 years of her life advocating for justice as a prominent and respected defense attorney in her cherished hometown of El Paso. She lived with a zest for life in all that she did, with passions in traveling, reading and shopping. An ardent collector, she prized intellectualism and independence and enjoyed many eclectic pastimes. She will truly be missed by all who had the fortune of knowing and loving her.
Kathleen is survived by her daughters, Kaitlin Smith, Kristina Smith and Kelli Smith; her mother, Mary Kathleen Beasley; her father and stepmother, Roger and Susie Salome; her siblings, Jennifer (Keith) Varni, Kristine (Mike) Stewart, Brian (Daniela) Salome, Patricia Salome and Blair (Dan) Morilla; many nieces and nephews; and her treasured furry companion, Austin.