Marcia Paris Jaffe

NORWALK, Conn. -- Marcia Paris Jaffe, a 51-year resident of Norwalk, Conn., died peacefully at her home among her devoted family on Saturday morning, Dec. 24, 2205.

Mrs. Jaffe was born in Troy, in 1929, the daughter of Harry and Helen Paris of Troy.

She attended Troy High School and received a degree in communications from Curry College in Boston.

Prior to her marriage she had her own radio program on WRPI in Troy, was a member of the Munson Players, a summer stock company in Massachusetts, and was a member of the administrative staff of the Circle Theatre in New York City.

Married to Christopher Jaffe in 1951, she became the comptroller of Jaffe Acoustics, an acoustical consulting firm headquartered in Norwalk. She was a tireless community leader and served Norwalk and its environs in myriad capacities. On moving to Norwalk, she became a Brownie leader, a member of the Norwalk Symphony Women's Society, and the president of the Cranbury Community Chapel.

She was an accomplished pianist and choral singer and became a charter member of the Fairfield County Choral, serving that organization as a two-term president.

During her tenure, she twice arranged to present the Choral in Carnegie Hall.

Her love of children was demonstrated by her volunteer work with Head Start, the Sunday School of the Ethical Culture Society and her longtime participation on the Board of the Mid Fairfield Child Guidance Center. She served Mid Fairfield as president for many years and received a Citation from the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut for her services to that organization. Most recently she became the first Trustee Emeritus of Mid Fairfield.

An active outdoorswoman who swam, skied and sailed, she spent her summers in the Adirondack mountains of New York state. She was a member of the Audubon Society, the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Nature Conservancy and many other conservation and animal assistance organizations.

ÊShe is survived by her husband Chris; her children, Irene, Chris Jr. and Nina; her daughter- -in-law, Karen; her brother, Robert Paris; and her grandchildren, Mathew, Courtney and Kayla.

She was predeceased by her sister, Doris Pugh.

A memorial service in her honor will be scheduled in January in Norwalk. The exact date and location to be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mid Fairfield Child Guidance Center or to the Fairfield County Choral.