Ellen Jacobs

Ellen Denise (Fitzgerald Rook) Jacobs
Ellen Denise Jacobs of North Hollywood, CA, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love in the comfort of her
home on September 17, 2022 at the age of 91. Denise was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, mother, aunt,
grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was cared for deeply by the wonderful staff of Vitas Hospice leading
up to her final days. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Michael Jacobs of Downey, CA.
She was born on December 18, 1930 to her loving parents, the late Arthur and Ellen “Nell” (Kitson) Fitzgerald, the
second born and last surviving of their seven children.
Denise was the loving and devoted mother of Dr. Thomas Rook; Denise Rook; Barbara Rook; Arthur Rook and his
wife Stacey (Sutter); Maribeth (Rook) Byerley; Patricia (Rook) Amboian and her husband Michael; Stephen Rook
and his wife Sharon (Rook); Frank Rook and his husband Brian Harkins.
Adoring grandmother to Davis Rook and Anna Rook Del-Rosario and her husband Ben; Jessica Byerley, Malia
(Byerley) Carter and her husband Bryant, Sadie Byerley and Alec Byerley; Mike Amboian and Megan Amboian;
Emily Rook and Rachel Rook. Treasured great-grandmother to Jasmine Byerley.
Denise is survived by her sisters-in-law Kaye Fitzgerald; Rosemary Fitzgerald; Lori Rook; Sylvia Rook; Alma Jean
(Rook) Pettit; and Chris Mandic along with her brothers-in-law Tom Cousins; Joseph Rook and his wife Karolyn,
and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Denise is taking her journey into eternal life joining her daughter Jacqueline “Jackie” Rook, daughter-in-law
Nina (Wilding) Rook, son-in-law David Byerley; brothers Edward Fitzgerald and his wife Rose, Raymond Fitzgerald,
Joseph Fitzgerald, Robert Fitzgerald and his wife Marge; sisters Geraldine (Fitzgerald) Cousins, Ethel (Fitzgerald)
McDonough and her husband Chuck; Denise’s ex-husband and father of her children Thomas E Rook; Tom’s
siblings Robert Rook, William Rook and wife Joy and second wife Julie, James Rook, David Rook and his wife Mae,
sister Marie (Rook) Andrejasich and her husband Frank, sister-in-law Valerie, and brother-in-law Jerry Pettit.
Denise was raised in Chicago, IL where she married Tom. Together they started their family before moving with
their nine children to Los Angeles California in 1967. Denise worked outside the home with positions at Security
Pacific National Bank and Shamrock Carpets. Her most important and fulfilling job, however, was Household CEO
which she held for more than 30 years. This position had Denise working from her home as an accountant, event
planner, child care, nurse, chef, housekeeper and teacher along with multiple other duties. Her home always had
an open-door policy and she often made enough food to feed the entire neighborhood. Everyone was welcomed
into her home with a big hug and warm smile, and she provided a loving second home to all the “George’s and
Sally’s” of the world. Denise loved being with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors and taking long walks
appreciating God’s creations. She also enjoyed sports and stayed a true Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears fan.
She loved playing cards, especially Bridge and Pinochle, while also enjoying bowling and her time on several
bowling leagues over the years.
Denise was born and baptized in Visitation Parish, Chicago, IL, where the tight knit community became her
extended family and was the founding inspiration for her Catholic beliefs. Denise’s unwavering faith in God is the
foundation in which she lived her life, and was a comfort to her in her final years. When she had moved to Los
Angeles in 1967 the St. Gregory Parish filled the role as her extended family and was a source of great friends and
support which she relied on strongly. Denise loved to entertain, congregate, celebrate, and support others. After
she moved to North Hollywood, she selflessly gave her time and volunteered at the church she loved, St. Charles
Borromeo. When she was not at the church her willingness to give generously of her time had her traveling from
Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Boston and Chicago where she would visit with, celebrate with, and help
her family and friends. Denise was sincerely loved and will be truly missed.
“May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hand”
Donations can be made to the “Jackie Rook Memorial Scholarship Fund”
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara - www.sbscholarship.org
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