Yvonne Olson Jacobson, celebrated Santa Clara Valley historian, beloved author of Passing Farms: Enduring Values, and a cherished presence to many, has passed away at the age of 88 following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born on July 12, 1938, in Sunnyvale, California, Yvonne was the youngest of three children born to Ruel Olson, a second-generation orchardist, and Rose Olson, who managed the family fruit stand. During her years at Sunnyvale’s Fremont High School from 1952 to 1956, she distinguished herself in debate, notably securing a victory in a contest against future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
Continuing her academic journey from 1956 to 1960, Yvonne studied English and Humanities at Stanford University, where she crossed paths with her future husband, William Jacobson. After completing her master’s degree in English at Columbia University in 1961, she relocated to William’s homeland of South Africa, where the couple married in 1962. Upon moving back to California, they settled in Los Altos Hills to raise their three children. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Yvonne shared her expertise as a lecturer and instructor at San José State University, De Anza College, and Foothill College, focusing courses on women in religion and art.
In 1979, Yvonne embarked on a pivotal project to document the historic shift of the Santa Clara Valley from agricultural farmlands into the tech epicenter known as Silicon Valley. This comprehensive research culminated in her critically acclaimed 1984 book, Passing Farms: Enduring Values, which features a foreword by renowned author Wallace Stegner. Her work also inspired an exhibit in the California Governor’s Office that found a permanent home in 1988 at San José’s History Park. Furthermore, an extensive collection of her photographs and research documents is preserved within the Michelle Ann Jacobson Memorial Collection at De Anza College’s California History Center, established in honor of her elder daughter, who passed away in 1982.
As memory loss began to affect her in the mid-2000s, Yvonne and William collaborated to compile her personal reflections into a 2012 publication titled Memoirs of a Farmer’s Daughter in Silicon Valley. Maintaining her radiant and optimistic spirit right up until the end, she consistently brought warmth, humor, and joy to those around her through laughter, smiles, embraces, and song. She leaves behind a lasting legacy defined by her hospitality, sharp intellect, and quick wit, alongside a deep fondness for hosting gatherings, traveling alongside William, gardening, canning, and celebrating milestones with family and friends.
Yvonne is survived by William Jacobson, her devoted husband of 64 years; her son, Mark Jacobson; her daughter, Laura Jacobson (alongside partner Anthony Wagner); her grandchildren, Dionna Jacobson MacWright (with husband Michael MacWright), Daniel Jacobson, Naomi Wagner, Kieran Wagner, and Jessica Jacobson; her sister, Jeanette Gottesman; her brother, Charles Olson; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
A memorial service honoring her life took place at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, located at 695 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto, on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that donations be directed toward the Alzheimer’s Association or De Anza College’s California History Center in her memory.
