Jacqueline Sharlin

1926 - 2016

March 21, 1926 - August 16, 2016 Jacqueline Sharlin, 90, died Wednesday, August 16, 2016 - a woman of grace and wisdom. A respected concert pianist and teacher, beloved friend, wife, mother and grandmother; she was a distinctly elegant woman. She will be deeply mourned and forever missed by the many whose lives she touched. Born Jacqueline Drucker in Chicago in 1926, her early years were devoted to the study of piano, a path encouraged by her parents, Florence and Isadore. Her artistic talent and drive brought her to the attention of renowned pianist and teacher, E. Robert Schmitz. At the young age of 16, she moved into his family's Bay Area home for several years of intensive study. After winning the North American Prize for Pianists, she performed across the country, the highlight being her Carnegie Hall debut. Upon retiring from regular performance she enjoyed years of teaching, while continuing her studies with pianist Jakob Gimpel. In 1956 in Los Angeles, Jacqui was introduced to Cantor William Sharlin on a blind date. They were married for 54 years before his death in 2012. Her loving partnership with William through his many years as Cantor at Leo Baeck Temple is a rich part of the legacy she leaves behind. Their shared celebration of music and the arts, coupled with their boundless joy as parents and grandparents made for a beautiful, long life together. Jacqui's most precious moments in life came from time spent with her loving daughters and sons-in-law, Ilana Sharlin Stone (Brent Stone) and Lisa Sharlin Klein (Mark Klein). The relationship she shared with her granddaughters, Kira and Simona, was a treasured bond. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 Sunday morning, August 21, at Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 North Sepulveda Boulevard, L.A. 90049.