Falling branch kills woman
By all accounts, the Boca Raton woman, who turned 23 less than a month ago, had a promising future ahead of her. But all of that changed in one freak instant Saturday.
It was a windy morning and a cold front was pushing down when Alyssa Sangeeta Jacobson went for a walk. She was just under a mile from her condominium in the Boca Teeca neighborhood when a massive oak tree branch split from the tree’s trunk and came down on Jacobson, killing her.
Meteorologists reported gusts of up to 35 mph and sustained winds of 23 mph in the morning of Nov. 9.
The tragedy has shaken those who know Jacobson and others that live along the heavily treelined Boca Teeca neighborhood on Northwest 2nd Avenue.
Late Monday, Jacobson’s mother, Geeta Loach Jacobson, announced on Facebook that her daughter had died from injuries during a walk. “Alyssa’s smile was infectious and she had a zest for life,” she wrote. “She loved to travel with family and friends. Alyssa will be missed and never forgotten.”
The post was shared widely and reaction was as expected. People are stunned.
“I cannot find the words to tell you how very very sorry I am for your heartbreaking loss,” replied Julie Alden Kreafle, the vice president of hunger relief for United Way of Palm Beach County.
It wasn’t that long ago that Jacobson was making sandwiches for a living as a college student. Just 4 1⁄2 years ago, Jacobson traded her Subway gig for an internship at Office Depot’s corporate office in Boca Raton. After finishing her master’s degree, the young woman stayed on and became a loss prevention analyst for the company.
Jacobson was born in Fort Lauderdale. According to Geeta Loach Jacobson’s Facebook post as well as Jacobson’s LinkedIn account, Jacobson graduated from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University.
Her major was economics. Jacobson recently obtained her
master’s degree in business administration from FAU. While in school she was active in the Enviro and Anthropology clubs.
Jacobson’s mom declined to comment Tuesday. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I can’t speak to anyone now.”
A scholarship fund has been established to honor Jacobson’s life. The Alyssa Sangeeta Jacobson Scholarship will fund educational opportunities for young people, according to her family.
Contributions can be made to Friends of Youth Services Inc., indicating funding for the Alyssa Sangeeta Jacobson Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to 50 S. Military Trail, Suite 203, West Palm Beach, FL, 33415, or via PayPal at friendsofyouthservices.com.