Jean Schiff

Opelousas A Memorial Service for Mrs. Jean Kohn Schiff will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2014, in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel. Rabbi Barry Weinstein will officiate the services.

Jean was a resident of Opelousas and passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at Opelousas General Health System at the age of 95.

She was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, as Harriet Jean Kohn. She attended public schools, graduating from Central High School. Then, she attended the University of Southern California where she was on the varsity swim team until her diving accident. Later, she took classes at Creighton University while working for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Jean married Vernon Schiff in January 1946 and moved to Opelousas. She lived almost all her life in Opelousas since then. She was active in the Opelousas Elementary School PTA while her sons were in school. She served as PTA president. She was a long time member of the Opelousas Garden Club, an avid knitter and seamstress. When Vernon operated Schiff Furniture, she worked in and led the drapery department. She remained married to Vernon for over 54 years until his death in 2000. She loved animals, especially her dogs. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling. Her personal highlight was when she got to meet the Pope during tour at the Vatican. She remained active walking and swimming well into her 80s, until her heart attack in 2002. Thereafter, she suffered a long decline, with dementia resulting from the reduced blood supply to her brain. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen Schiff of Aldie, Virginia and David Schiff and wife, Sharon of Mandeville, Louisiana three grandchildren, Alexandra Schiff, Christopher Schiff and Stephen Schiff and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by spouse, Vernon Schiff and her parents, Leonard and Florence Carey Kohn.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

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