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Jill Elfenbein Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jill Elfenbein
Gardner Grant Family
May 20, 2010
Dearest Elfenbein Family,
We are so very saddened to hear of Jill's passing. She was a remarkable person and we will never forget her. She worked tirelessly with our profoundly deaf daughter for years and we will forever be grateful to her. She was a wonderful, joyous and dedicated advocate for the deaf community and we send our love and sympathy to all of you and your family.
Lindsay B
May 18, 2010
I can never thank Dr. Elfenbein enough. She is the reason I am going into audiology. Without her as a great mentor, teacher, friend, and idol. Her passion for her work and love of the field of audiology was the reason I will be attending grad school next next to get my AuD. I am forever grateful for her. I will never forget Professor Elfenbein. RIP
Nora Rifon
May 17, 2010
Jill Elfenbein was my friend and colleague. I was remiss in keeping up with our friendship and did not realize how ill she was these last months. Dr. Elfenbein was a selfless human being who offered her time, knowledge and kindness to all who needed it. I remember her voice as melodic as she seemed to sing her words. dont you think so? and she was always positive and looking for the bright side of things. she brought sunshine into my life and I hope to honor her with my actions. thank you Jill, I love you.
Karrie Slominski
May 17, 2010
I am honored to have had Dr. Elfenbein as a teacher and mentor. Her passion for teaching and helping others was an inspiration. She will truly be missed! With deepest sympathy, Karrie Slominski, Au.D.
Arnold Small
May 12, 2010
Jill and I first met when she was a graduate student at the University of Iowa. She later did her doctoral dissertation research in my laboratory. I would ordinarily say that I directed her dissertation, except that Jill was that rare student who needed little, if any, direction. Subsequently, we were colleages at Iowa until she moved to MSU. She sincerely cared about her students, clients, and colleages. She was a joy to work with, but one of my fondest memories of Jill had nothing to do with universities. When my wife, Gerri, and I moved to Florida, Jill made a trip to Cape Coral to help us arrange furniture and hang pictures on the walls in our new home. We had a great time and I think that Jill did, too.
Greg Robinson
May 11, 2010
I feel so fortunate to have know her. Her work in the area of hearing loss and genetics is, of course, impressive. However, her seemingly unbeatable spirit during her fight with cancer was the most inspiring thing to me. The cancer never really won, she was strong and courageous to the end!
Dave Collins
May 10, 2010
Like many others I was surprised and saddened by the news that we have lost Jill. I worked with Jill for many years on distance education projects involving students at MSU and at Calvin College. I was personally fortunate to have had Jill as an adviser on a podcasting research project. She provided me with valuable organizational and implementation advice on the project and I considered her advice instrumental to the success of the project.
Over this time I learned that Jill had the respect of many students and many of her colleagues. Jill earned this respect by giving time and sharing her knowledge to every individual she came into contact with. Her greatest contribution to her students and the MSU community was her commitment to teaching. She understood that good teaching was hard work that demanded attention to many areas. She had high expectations for herself and for her students.
We all have known exceptional teachers who have had a positive influence on our lives.
Jill was one of those for me.
Nancy Tye-Murray
May 10, 2010
I had the pleasure of sharing an office with Jill during our graduate days at the University of Iowa. Jill was incredibly hardworking and dedicated, and was a team player in every sense of the word. Her ready smile and occasional wry quip could brighten up the dreariest of Iowa winter days. I particularly admired her creativity in developing communication training programs for children with hearing loss and her dedication in implementing them. Jill made a difference in the profession of aural rehabilitation and she made a difference in the lives of many Iowan children. We will miss her.
Michael Karnell
May 10, 2010
Heart felt sympathies to Jill's family and friends. Jill was a friend during our doctoral studies and later as a colleague at the University of Iowa. She will be missed and remembered.
Michael & Lucy
Michael Casby
May 10, 2010
We have lost a valiant supporter of those with disabilities.
Jean White
May 10, 2010
I was fortunate to have worked with Jill on ASHA's Special Interest Divisions publications. I was humbled and inspired by her hard work and dedication in contributing to Division publications in spite of her struggle with cancer. She was a delight to work with, always considerate and thoughtful of staff. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Stephanie Currier
May 9, 2010
Through the course of our studies often we have instructors we enjoy, occasionally we have instructors we admire, but it is rare indeed to have a professor we love, and Dr. Elfenbein was truly loved by her students. I don’t know that there are words to describe how loved Dr. Elfenbein was in the CDS department. Talk to practically any student and they will tell you that Dr. Elfenbein was their favorite professor. She was such a gifted instructor, she cared so much for her students, and she gave so much of herself to her students. Occasionally in life we get the opportunity to encounter someone, albeit briefly, who impacts our lives in such a way that we are forever changed, and that is what Dr. Elfenbein did for me. I feel so fortunate for the time I had with her and I know that I will carry with me for the rest of my life the wisdom she imparted upon me, and will be a much better clinician because of her. She is someone to truly admire. She did so much for children with cleft palate and individuals with hearing impairment, among all her other amazing accomplishments. The world is definitely a better place for having had Dr. Elfenbein in it.
Cara Boester
May 9, 2010
I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers to Dr. Elfenbein's family, friends and colleagues. What a very sad loss. I was one of the lucky ones to be a student of Dr. Elfenbein's in the late '90's. I was a speech path student with a focus on aural rehab. I enjoyed her classes and the meetings I had with her discussing our field. I remember her always making the time to meet with me and enjoyed soaking in her passion for the field. What a sad day for the MSU CSD community.
Cara Boester, MSU Grad '98
Roberta Aungst
May 9, 2010
My sincere sympathy to your family. I knew Jill through mutual work as volunteers for ASHA; she was incredibly dedicated to her profession and the professional community. She will be greatly missed. Most of all I will miss seeing her at meetings and conventions always with a smile and with enthusiasm for everything audiology. She never let her illness get in the way of all she wanted to accomplish. She was a true inspiration.
Sue Ann Erdman
May 9, 2010
To Jill's family,
The world has lost a treasure! May it help in some small way to know that Jill was a wonderful friend, a valued colleague, and a caring professional to so many. Jill and I shared a love for rehabilitative audiology and although we never had the opportunity to actually work together, our interests and membership in professional groups brought us together on projects and at meetings a number of times over the years. She became an even more trusted and admired friend when I was diagnosed with cancer. I cannot tell you how much her strength and spunky spirit helped me. I marveled at the way she simply refused to let illness or treatments interfere with what she wanted to do or how she wanted to live her life. No one could have been a better role model as far as living each day fully is concerned. Through the lessons she taught me personally, she lives on in my heart forever. Through the lessons she taught her many students, patients, and colleagues, she leaves an indelible mark on her beloved profession. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Elizabeth Burroughs
May 8, 2010
I was a graduate student with Jill at Iowa and we kept in touch over the years. Even as a student, she was focused on serving the profession. Back at Iowa, I remember her scheme to raise money for the student organization. She’d boil up a big pot of hotdogs to sell at faculty meetings – “Wendell Wienies”, as they were being sold at the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic. “Pure profit!,” she’d say. Jill was a uniquely optimistic and energetic woman who refused to let her illness change her life plan. She inspired hundreds of students and left her profession better for her dedication and hard work. She will be missed by so many.
Judith Vander Woude
May 8, 2010
Dear Elfenbein Family:
I was so saddened to hear about Jill's passing. I knew Jill for more than 14 years. She taught two audiology courses for Calvin College by live video from MSU for many years. Jill was a valued colleague and friend. She was an excellent teacher who cared deeply about her students. She rarely missed a day of teaching and maintained an active research program while going through many different treatments with various side effects. She fit the definition for “indomitable” perfectly. I have many memories of her classes over the years, but one of my favorites took place before the technology was reliable. During one class, the audio feed went out even though the video was fine; so we could see her and the MSU class but could not hear them. While the techs were working on the problem, Jill started signing the material while a Calvin student interpreted—it filled the gap perfectly. In addition to graciously managing the challenges of distance education, Jill’s Jeopardy games between Calvin and MSU as test reviews were infamous. Students started wearing their school colors during this friendly rivalry. Jill always made extra time to meet with her students at MSU and at Calvin. She wrote recommendation letters for almost every one of our graduates over the years, and made sure that she met with each student personally before she wrote those letters. Finally, most years Jill joined us for reunion dinners with Calvin seniors and alumni at ASHA Conventions. She remembered every student’s name and details. Needless to say, Jill will be greatly missed by all of us. She was a very special person.
May 8, 2010
I knew Jill as a student, a research partner, and a friend; she excelled at everything she set her mind to do and I was a better professional for having known and worked with her. Her courage and unbeatable approach toward her health problems should serve as a model for us all. A few years ago we attended a conference at which she was the first speaker and I was the last and we had a chance to spend several days together. I treasure the memories of that time. It was then that her courage and determination were most obvious, but her thoughtfulness and kindness toward others was undiminished. Please accept my deepest condolences, and take comfort from knowing what a wonderful friend and colleague she was for countless people. -- Julia Davis, Iowa City, IA
Lisa Lucks Mendel
May 8, 2010
I am so saddened to hear of Jill's passing. She was a wonderful person who was so devoted to her career and her passion for audiology. She was a such a strong person and always so willing to help with any project or opportunity that came her way. She will be missed.
Brian Hall
May 8, 2010
Adam, Lisa and family -- My deepest sympathy on this terribly sad day. May your faith and memories of Jill carry you through this difficult time. -- Brian Hall
Amy Weiss
May 8, 2010
Dear Elfenbein Family:
I am terribly saddened to hear the news of Jill's passing. We had last spoken a few months ago about happier news and I'm sure that at the time Jill downplayed the seriousness of her illness so I did not realize how much she was suffering. That was very much like Jill. We were colleagues at the University of Iowa as well as friends; we spent seders together each year and we wisely gave Jill the assignment of bringing the desserts and she always wowed us with her creations! She was dedicated to her profession but even more dedicated to her students, each of whom I am sure will remember how much she cared that they "got" it. She leaves a legacy to be emulated by us all. My sincere sympathy to you in this very difficult time.
Anne Wallace
May 7, 2010
Dear family of Jill,
It is with much sadness that I extend my condolences to your famiy. Jill was my friend, U. of Iowa colleague, and backyard neighbor for many years in Iowa City. To my children, she was "Aunt Jill" and she was ever thoughtful in remembering every birthday or holiday, and did so with a childlike enthusiasm. Through her, I learned a lot about your family, and the happening of her beloved nephews as well as other family. Jill was the ultimate teacher/researcher/clinician and gave 100% to her students and clients with passion, enthusiasm, and integrity. I'm not sure any of us can imagine the strength it took for Jill to persevere as she took on one health challenge after another these past many years, but all her friends were always amazed by her never-ending courage and positive attitude. Our family extends our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will miss a dear friend.
Anne Wallace, Bill Gay, Jake, Daniel and Hanna Wallace
Mary Gebbia-Portice
May 7, 2010
MSU's CSD community will be so much less without Dr. Jill Elfenbein. She added so much in her years here at State. Dr. Elfenbein was a great fighter and inspiration. She was a constant advocate for students, always giving whatever she could as a mentor and as a colleague. We will miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and those closest to her as they journey through this difficult loss.
Michael Harrison
May 7, 2010
Dear Family Elfenbein,
My wife Ann and I were very saddened to hear of Jill's death. We had come to know Jill by sitting together at our shul on Yontiff and other meetings of Kehillat Israel of Lansing. Her gentle smile will always be with us. We had hoped that Jill would have joined us at our pesach seder this year, but it was not to be. It is a terrible loss to all of you and also to us who came to know her spirit and her support of others through her gentle words of encouragement. We will miss Jill greatly. Please accept our deepest condolences.
BARUCH DAYAN EMMET
Michael and Ann Harrison
Mary Hardin-Jones
May 7, 2010
Jill and I met in the doctoral program at the University of Iowa in 1980. She was a good friend and provided a tremendous amount of support for me throughout the program. I have so many fond memories of her – many involving her futile attempts to teach me to cook! I will always remember her optimism and good nature as well as the enthusiasm she demonstrated for her work. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. I hope they will take some comfort in knowing that she had such a positive impact on so many lives during her time with us.
Charlie Anderson
May 7, 2010
As a friend, professor and colleague of Jill,I know Jill was a treasured student and colleague by many of us here at the University of Iowa. Her integrity was never questioned and her commitment to students, clients and colleagues was everlasting and steadfast. The profession of audiology and the world are better for having Jill as long as we did. Though she will be sorely missed, her impact will be lasting.
Brooke Hallowell
May 7, 2010
I am so very sorry for this terrible loss. What persistence, dedication, fortitude and cheerfulness she demonstrated as a wonderful example for so many of us.
Richard Hurtig
May 7, 2010
Dear Elfenbein Family, I have known Jill from her Iowa days and have always been struck by her commitment and genuine interest in the well being of her students, clients and colleagues. When Jill was at Iowa, I was not alone in the department when it came to knowing the difference between a Mazzah Ball and Gefilte Fish. No matter what challenges Jill faced she gave it her all and what I will always remember is that special twinkle in her eye that could at times be her subtle way of making us all work a little harder as well. Richard Hurtig (Univ of Iowa)
Celia Hooper
May 7, 2010
I have known Jill for many years through our work in ASHA. She was an inspiration to me and taught me many things about leadership and caring about others when we work on a project together. It must have been amazing to have been one of her students. They are very lucky. Celia Hooper, Greensboro NC
Mary Peterson
May 7, 2010
I had the utmost respect for Dr. Elfenbein's work as a professor and researcher. She positively touched the lives of many students pursuing audiology. My sincerest sympathies to her family and friends at this most difficult time.
The Webers
May 7, 2010
Dear Family and Friends of Dr. Elfenbein:
Our family had only known Jill a little over a year. We first met her after being told of the research she and her colleagues were doing on hearing loss. Our son was diagnosed with hearing loss at birth and she was trying to figure out the cause. She always had a smile on her face and was willing to help us in anyway possible. She will be greatly missed but we know she is now in a better more peaceful place! She will be greatly missed!
Kimberly Martin
May 7, 2010
I once worked on a committee with Jill. She was thoughtful, caring, and articulate about our issues. She will be missed by the Audiology community.
Cynthia Stone
May 7, 2010
Dear Elfenbein family,
I had the pleasure of working with Jill to make materials available to her students through the MSU Libraries for her courses. She was a gifted and knowledgeable teacher, but also a valiant warrior in fighting her medical battles. I will always admire her spirit and resolve.
Mary Ann Lyon
May 7, 2010
I first met Jill at the University of Iowa when I was a graduate student in my Master's program and Jill was working on her PhD. She had a great passion for the discipline of audiology then and carried that forward to her work. She will be greatly missed.
May 7, 2010
Jill was one of the most generous professors I have encountered. I read hundreds of letters of recommendations she wrote for her undergraduate students seeking entry into graduate school. They were individualized and honest, but always sensitive. At the same time, she was smart enough to isolate a gene. A remarkable human being. A great loss to the rest of us. Nicki Nelson (Western Michigan University)
Greg Mannarelli
May 7, 2010
I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to Jill’s family. Dr. Elfenbein was a great teacher and mentor. She was one of great influences in my life and was primary reason I chose to go into the profession of Audiology. – Greg Mannarelli
May 7, 2010
Dear family of Dr. Elfenbein, I did not know Dr. Elfenbein but she was the inspiration in my son's life that he needed. He was one of her students at MSU and is now working on his doctorate in audiology at the University of South Florida. She was his guiding path and my wife and I will be forever grateful. He called us yesterday with the news and needless to say, he was greatly saddened by her passing. She was an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed. With condolences, Bob and Sue Elkins
Breena Scharrer
May 7, 2010
Dear Family and Friends of Dr. Elfenbein:
My sincere sympathy to you all at Jill's passing. I was an aquaintance of Jill's through the Audiology community and greatly admired her strong work in the genetic causes of hearing loss; work that will continue to have a direct and positive impact on the lives of families and children we serve in the field of educational audiology forever. We were most privileged to have her here in Michigan as a colleague.
With warmest regards,
Breena L. Scharrer, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
May 7, 2010
She was a researcher, an asset to our profession of audiology. She will be missed by our State of MI.
Connie Parkhurst
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