Janey Barber Jacoby, 83, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on Aug. 14, 2026, at home.
She was the wife of Richard (Dick) Jacoby.
Janey was born in Columbia, S.C., and graduated from Winthrop College in 1964.
She dedicated more than three decades to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, schools from 1965 to 1995.
Her exceptional organizational skills and deep sense of community made her a beloved figure in every classroom and organization she touched.
At one point in her long career, she was honored as a Fairfax County Teacher of the Year and she spent countless hours evaluating other elementary school teachers for the county.
Janey lived a life defined by generosity, purpose and a genuine love for the people and places that mattered most to her.
She loved to travel and she always said “yes!” to new adventures. She and Dick traveled extensively – chasing adventure and making memories together all over the world. Not only did they travel the world, but they also traveled to all 50 states. Quite an accomplishment.
Janey and Dick retired in 1995 and shortly thereafter moved full time to their summer home on Ocracoke Island–a home they built together and loved.
“Janey could really use a hammer,” said Dick, and she was in charge of procurement and keeping the supply chain moving to continue working towards completion of the house.
Janey was active in the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department as an organizer and in administration.
She served as president of the Ocracoke Preservation Society for many years and was an active member of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church.
Janey is survived by Dick, her husband of 59 years, with whom she moved to Richmond in 2022.
At this time, there are no plans for a funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to may honor and remember Janey by donating to the general fund of the Ocracoke Preservation Society, PO Box 1240, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
