Henrietta L. Jakubowski, 91, of Provincetown and Jupiter, Fla., has been called “Hy” for as long as she could remember, and the moniker certainly fit her infectiously happy personality.
She died on July 9, 2020, in her family’s Provincetown home, surrounded by Albert, her husband of 66 years; son Jay; son-in-law Shawn Nightingale; and her beloved Havanese, Rosie, who was always by her side.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Hy worked for many years as an indispensable Gal Friday in various secretarial positions. After the children grew up, they moved to Florida. Social beyond measure, Hy found great happiness in gatherings of family and friends.
Travel was one of Hy’s great passions. When the children were young, the family packed up their camper and headed wherever the road took them. Later they settled at Lake Gage, near Angola, Ind., where they were known for wild theme parties.
Once they had retired to Florida, Hy and Al were avid cruise travelers. Hy loved a bargain and her almost daily shopping excursions usually resulted in a “treasure” to share with family and friends and to brighten her home life.
Way ahead of her time when it came to LGBT rights, in 1983 Hy welcomed her son Jay’s boyfriend, now husband, Shawn Nightingale into their family.
About one month ago Al and Hy moved to Provincetown to live with Jay and Shawn, but they were already extremely familiar with the town, having been annual visitors for 38 years.
“Hot dogs and hamburgers and barbecues, that’s what we did out here and she loved it,” said Nightingale.
Each May the couple would attend the opening of the Red Inn, where they would meet friends at their window seat. They were a fun couple and young for their age.
In addition to her husband and son, Hy is survived by her sister, 93-year-old Dorothy Feyes of Wichita, Kan. She was predeceased by her son Greg, who died in Alaska in 1991.
A family memorial service will be held at a time and date to be announced.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit the online guestbook at gatelyfuneralservice.com.
