Jennifer Anzion JAFFE

Born March 15, 1953 in San Francisco, died peacefully at home in Santa Rosa on October 26, 2013 with her husband Dr. Julius Jaffe by her side, after a long battle with glioblastoma. Jennifer was a beautiful, vibrant woman admired in the Wild Oak community where she lived. A woman of numerous passions and interests, she studied piano at the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco. She also acquired a love for the French language and culture, which continued to be a lifetime passion. As a child, she visited Santa Rosa with her mother and father, Nancy and William Anzion, and brother Tad, spending meaningful times at Mark West Springs resort in the summers. She fell in love with Sonoma County-its land, scenery, agriculture-and further developed a great affinity for horses. After her father's death, she moved to Santa Rosa with her mother and brother when she was ten years of age, fulfilling a childhood dream. She went on to attend Sequoia Elementary School, Montgomery High School and Santa Rosa Junior College where she studied nursing. After graduation, Jennifer worked as a nurse in obstetrics. She found her niche in oncology and devoted her care to patients with cancer at Hematology Oncology Group. Bright and industrious, she was also a pharmaceutical representative for a brief period. A gifted and accomplished artist in water color and oil media, Jennifer had gallery shows and delighted in painting the local landscape. She was a student of Millard Sheets and they became close friends. Her interests continued in French and she became fluent in the language, history, art, architecture and geography-as well as fashion of France. She regularly attended weekly sessions of The French Class with Dominique Bremond in San Francisco. She was an avid gardener who also loved music, and played piano and guitar. A refined lady with an elegant sense of style, Jennifer did all of this to perfection. She was a skilled equestrian and loved riding in Sonoma County. From a very young age, she had a love for all sorts of animals, especially dogs, and later raised and showed Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles as well as other breeds. A woman of diverse talents, Jennifer also had athletic abilities and was a marathon runner and cyclist. Jennifer had many favorite things: the Santa Rosa Symphony, Annadel State Park, the city of San Francisco and in particular Union Square. She loved movies, comedies and anything French; tea with girlfriends; and trips to Hawaii with Jules. She was a kind, giving person who was a connoisseur of fine food, wine, and art. Jennifer was wholeheartedly loved by her family, friends and pets. She will be remembered for her intelligence, quick wit, and for her unmistakable zest and love of life. Preceded in death by her father William Anzion, step-father Norman E. Knoke, and step-brother Daniel Knoke. Jennifer is survived by her husband of 31 years, Dr. Julius Jaffe; by her mother Nancy (Anzion) Knoke, brother Tad Anzion (his wife Susan, and children Simone and Will); aunt Sue Locke (children Lori, Richard and Matthew), step-sister Tina Knoke, step-brother Jim Knoke, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Prados at Neuro-Oncology at UCSF; Dr. Gary Johanson, Dr. Marek Bozdech, Dr. Fred David and the staff at Redwood Regional Medical Group; St. Joseph's Memorial Hospice; and special commendation to Rose Shannon, Jennifer's caregiver. Thanks to her extraordinary friends Gail and Lowell Snyder who were always there for her, as well as heartfelt gratitude to many other caring friends and family members. At present, no services are planned. Family assisted by Daniels Chapel of the Roses. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jennifer's memory may be made to St. Joseph's Memorial Hospice, The American Cancer Society, or UCSF Dept. of Neuro-Oncology. Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever.