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Joan Schiff Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joan Schiff
Sponsored by Joan's family.
August 11, 2014
Bobbie,
I, too, remember you and that you had been married that summer. You seemed so much older than me at the time but in fact probably weren't! My name was Toni Sherman and my twin sister was (still is!!!) Gay. We attended Wacipi for many (MANY!!) summers and it was our second home. Many of us have been in touch with Amy and Debbie Schiff beginning with this site and now on Facebook and it's wonderful to be back in touch after so many years. My name is now Toni Fentin (if you do Facebook that's the name it's under so connect that way if you choose). E-mail is [email protected] if you'd like to catch up a bit. So wonderful "hearing" from you and no doubt Amy and Debbie and John and Andrew will love what you said. Joan and Morty were such a wonderful part of all of our lives. We all have such warm memories of Wacipi.....that place in the sun on Thompson Lake. Hoping the years have been good to you!
Toni Sherman Fentin
Arlington, MA
August 10, 2014
Bobbie,I remember all that you related about your marriage and about you. Nice to hear you are happily married.Best,Jill Berkowitz Provan
Barbara Burkhart
August 7, 2014
I lost touch through the years,but...Kathy Raskin was a cousin and she put me in touch with Joan! Wonderful! I was a counselor at Wacipi for 2 summers...had a blast...loved seeing Joan with Rocky...or Rocket,as she called him sometimes...Joan-and Morty saved my life the summer of 1962...My husband,Carl, and I had eloped in early June after he had graduated from the USCOAST GUARD ACADEMY...we told your parents. Carl and I stayed at their cottage when he could come up to visit...we used their phone to tell our parents and I used Joan's shoulder and huge heart to get through the summer! Carl hauled rocks with your Dad on the weeks-ends he was there...we are still married and part of that is due to the support from your parents! What great role models! What marvelous memories!
Barbara Smolen Burkhart
Gregory Jolin
August 30, 2012
Amy and family - I spoke with Joan often over the years and always tried to stay in contact. Joan was such a wonderful soul, always so proud of her children and family. She is missed.
Amy Rosse
July 30, 2011
Thank you Wendy. I remember Rocky so well and mom sure did love camp and animals and all of the campers. Thanks for sharing your memories
Wendy Jacobs
July 29, 2011
Debbie, Jon, Amy and Andrew,
I have so many wonderful memories of Wacipi Pines. I never would have climbed all those mountains, water skied, canoed, and done so many more activities if I hadn't gone to Wacipi Pines. I just visited the site the other day, but my memories of my summers there stay with me, especially your Mom, with Rocky by her side. My condolences to you - your parents truly gave many campers so many wonderful experiences.
Amy Rosse
January 25, 2011
Hillary, how beautiful. I can taste that fireball now! I still hum many of those songs when I go woodswalking. Thank you for reminding us all of these many great memories. I can see mom and dad live on in all of us.
Hillary Browne
January 23, 2011
In among the pines. Leave your petticoats and powder by the door. Pennesawee, Skiticook, Mattawamkeg, Sebago. Movie nights in the roller skating building. Tennis. Picking raspberries. Those strange loon calls at nighttime. Sarasponda sarasponda sarasponda Ra Ta Ta. Dip dip and swing. Canoe trips. Campfires by the waterfront. John Jacob Jinglehimer Schmidt. Catching frogs and tadpoles in the marshy area by the softball field. Dances with Camp Powhaten and the “camp in Casco Maine, Ringo was it’s name-oh”. Color wars. Green shorts, white short sleeved camp shirts and green cardigans. The big truck that brought us our trunks with trays lined with blue and white or black and white sprinkle paper; tan, rust colored or olive dufflebags. Canteen with fireballs, skye bars, licorice pieces. Penny candy in Naples. The Casco fair. Trips: including Shelter Island, Baily Island, Sebago Lake with the fried clam stand; Bar Harbor; the Montreal World’s fair where we stayed in McGill dormitories. I love to go a wandering, along a mountain track, climbing Mt. Katahdin. Little balsam souvenir pillows we bought so that we could smell Maine even in the wintertime. Morning cocoa in those little plastic cups. Sally with her gnarled hands painting the eyes on our greenware kittens and the birds on salt and pepper shakers, painted with pearlescent blue. Trips to “the point, “ a special treat. Kimme, councelor of the little girls; Nikki, queen of waterskiiing; Gay and Toni, on the waterfront. I remember you, too , Jo Ellen Ross, and your sister Donna,. Whatever happened to Jayne Swiman? And I remember you, Jill Berkowitz; I hope this finds you well. And I remember Joan, with her short black hair, aquiline nose, sculptured calves and yes, great softball hit. May she rest in peace. Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes from the hills from the skies, all is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Amy Rosse
December 27, 2010
Hillary, we all remember you and thank you for sharing your memories. We will all keep our Wacipi memories in our hearts and minds. Be well and happy. The Schiff family.
hillary browne
December 25, 2010
I was a camper at Wacipi PInes CAmp in the early sixies and remember Mort and Joan and Debbie and Rockie! What lovely memories. Such special people. Hillary Browne ( now in Boulder
Amy Rosse
December 2, 2010
Our family is so gratified to know how much Mom (and Dad) impacted your lives, especially at Wacipi. We were all fortunate to realize how special they were way back when. Even while dealing with her illness, we still called Mom the energizer bunny. She was a beautiful, caring, highly intelligent and active woman. The night before she passed she learned how to play Texas hold-em with my husband Michael and I. She loved life and will live on in all of us. Thank you all again for your nice memories. Amy (Schiff) Rosse, Joan's daughter.
July 19, 2010
Amy, I just read this and wanted to let you know how very sorry I am to hear of your mother's death. Although I didn't know her personally, I often felt as though I did, from the stories you'd tell about her. Keep all those happy memories in your heart and she'll always be with you. Pam Woods
July 18, 2010
Debbie, Jon, Amy and Andrew,
So sorry to hear of your mother's illness and passing. I always wanted to at least once re-connect with your mother as an adult. Unfortunately, I never put forth the effort. Wacipi was and remains a major part of my life. I wanted to share with your mother that impact and that I went on to graduate school in recreation and have never stopped being involved in organized camp in some capacity. Just two days after your mother's passing I visited a camp as an American Camp Association visitor. Whenever I sit down to trash papers and stuff from the past, I never can bring myself to get rid of Wacipi Pines stuff. I 'm the fortunate camper who received the last 5 yr camper Wacipi Pines blanket and it was done by your mother! Your family created many positive memories and impact on many campers including myself. Thanks for sharing your parents and grandparents with us campers when your were young!
Thinking of you all! Take care and share your memories among yourselves.
Jo-Ellen Ross
P.S. Your mother and her family and my mother and her family (Rubin) grew up together in Asbury Park, NJ
Gay Tanklefsky (Sherman)
July 10, 2010
Debbie, Jon, Amy and Andrew,
My memories, along with many other people I have spoken to from Wacipi, are vivid, strong and amazing of our days with your parents and all of you as young children. I share those memories often and even to people that were not fortunate enough to have had the experience of summers there. INCREDIBLE! And...we have your parents to thank for all of it! So sad and sorry to hear of your mom's illness and passing. Wonderful memories of both your parents, you all, and our Wacipi days (too many to name!) will always be a huge part of all us "Wacipi-ites". Thinking of you all!
July 9, 2010
the mark mordecai family remembers well our time at the camp where we helped set up and tear down the camp.
we will miss Joan and Morty
Kathy Doyle
July 8, 2010
Andrew & Joyce
My deepest condolences to you and your family at the loss of your mother. We (6-pack +) were lucky to have spent an afternoon with her up in Maine recently - a memory I will treasure.
love,
Kathy Doyle
July 8, 2010
Dear Schiff Family,
Joan was a great lady - we will all miss her. The boys are very sad, but are happy that she was part of their lives. She will always be remembered.
Luv,
Lisa, Joel, Eric, Scott and Bruce Israel
Ramon & Bernadette Robinson
July 7, 2010
Our condolences to the families. May your hearts and souls find peace and comfort at this time.
Rest in peace Miss Joan.
Andrea ("Andy") Swiman
July 7, 2010
Dear Debbie, Jon, Andrew and Amy,
From senior camper to CIT to counselor (my last year was summer of ’63), I have so many great memories of Wacipi and Joan and Morty. As I look back now, it strikes me how young they were taking on the responsibilities of running a camp and, at the same time, caring for their growing family! I can still see your mother’s smile and recall her sense of humor. Aside from the good times, good friends and day-to-day experiences, I clearly remember a 3-day CIT trip to Montreal with Joan as well as time spent with her at your Wacipi house “on the point” (usually when Morty was in Boston). I think the house had a name, but it escapes me.
May your many pleasant memories help make this difficult time a little easier. And, perhaps, in some small way, the knowledge that your parents truly had a positive impact on so many will also provide some comfort.
My sincerest sympathy to all of you.
Anne Johnson
July 7, 2010
Debbie and Family,
Joan's passing is a sad loss to us all. She was such a nice person. God bless you during this difficult time.
Love,
The Johnsons
Charles and Anne
Toni Fentin
July 7, 2010
Dear Debbie, Jon, Andrew and Amy,
I am so saddened to hear about your mom's passing. I'm Toni Sherman who attended Wacipi Pines for many years with your mom and dad. What vibrant wonderful people they were. I even remember the day Amy was born! We were actually at camp then and mom had to go in the wee hours of the morning to bring you into the world and it was so exciting that day at camp!! And I remember when there was only Jon & Debbie and then came Amy and Andrew. So I was there early on. Your dad was always working to make the camp a well maintained spot and your mom was great on the softball field!! What a hitter!! And I remember a beautiful golden retriever they had who was always beside your mom. Also your grandparents on both sides who always came to visit camp. What a place in the sun that was. Camp lives on in the hearts of many of us thanks to your parents who made it all possible. They have not been forgotten and we keep them in our hearts always. You will do the same.
Thinking of you all,
Toni Sherman (now Fentin)
Gail Canini
July 6, 2010
Debbie, I am very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. It is always hard to lose your mother no matter what the circumstances. My prayers are with you.
Gail
Lynna Caplan Lerman
July 6, 2010
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing.. I was a camper at Wacipi Pines and have wonderful memories of your whole family...
July 6, 2010
Dear Schiff Family,
I have such fond memories of Wacipi with your Mom & Dad and Debbie and Jon.. I often think about what camp meant to me, what it teaches a young person, and how it shapes you as a person. I hope you all know what an impact Wacipi had for so many of us! What an incredible legacy your Mom ( and DAD) have passed on... you have been truly blessed. My love and thoughts are with you all..but remember, WE will always keep the memories alive.
Love, Cindy Swiman
( age 6 - 1st summer -1963 )
Today they would have sent my parents to jail for sending a kid so young! But I had so many wonderful girls to take care of me!
Cheryl Johnson
July 6, 2010
Debbie: I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
deb jacobson
July 6, 2010
I had the pleasure of working with Joan when she was the director at Hamilton Co/Bright Horizons daycare in the late 90s. I was one of the parents "on the board" (my daughter was at daycare there) and she was a special woman, a great role model, and someone I will always remember, very fondly. I am so sorry for your loss.
Donna Coughlin
July 6, 2010
Joyce and Andrew:Our deepest sympathies, during this time of sorrow, to the Schiff Family.
Lisa Swiman
July 6, 2010
Debbie, Jon, Amy, & Andrew-
There are many of us who have such fond and indelible memories of our summers at Wacipi and the enduring friendships made there. One of my most vivid memories is that of your mother driving that VW bus and rarely using the brakes!
We are fortunate to have had those summers on Lake Thompson with Joan & Morty and all of you.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Cathy Holmes
July 6, 2010
Joan touched many lives and her memory lives on in each of you. May her strength and wisdom be in your hearts as you remember, grieve and continue the legend.
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