Friends of an educational-software executive and charity founder killed in this week's Amtrak train crash say they've learned from her life as they mourn her death.
Hundreds of people packed a memorial service Saturday for Rachel Jacobs at Hebrew Union College in Manhattan. The 39-year-old was among eight people killed when the speeding train derailed in Philadelphia.
"She was really seen as a beacon of light," mourner Brett Leitner said as he left the service. "She touched a remarkable amount of people. It's a deeply felt loss."
Jacobs was on her way home to Manhattan from her new job as CEO of the Philadelphia educational software startup ApprenNet.
U.S. & World
Besides her career in education technology, she started Detroit Nation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting startups in her Michigan hometown. Through the organization, Jacobs helped arrange the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's first Carnegie Hall concert in 17 years.
She was the mother of a 2-year-old boy.
Her funeral is planned for Monday in Michigan.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
