Honoring Beth Schucker

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Beth Schucker was a champion of jazz. Her Maryland license plate read "Save Jazz" . The inscription was famous around Oxford, Maryland where she and her husband Ray retired after careers at NIH in Washington DC where they raised three daughters. Beth was an annual visitor to Key West, reviewing restaurants for various publications and researching the history of the local shrimp industry. 
Widowhood launched her into the art of bar stool dinner conversations and immediate friendships with interesting people. 
An excellent cook and consummate hostess, she threw great cocktail parties at Truman Annex.
In recent years she and her beloved companion Lee Phillips could be found daily at Fort Zac reading under the pines and watching the beautiful sunsets. 
Her goal last January was to recover enough strength to get back to Key West but sadly it was not to be, She lived a vibrant 79 years. We miss her.

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Honoring Ruth Leonore Robinson

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Ruth Leonore Robinson, August 12, 1911-July 14, 2015, peacefully at her Home in Pompano Beach, Florida. Formerly of New York City. Much loved Mother of Margot Astrachan, Grandmother of Gregory Astrachan (Jacqueline) and Matthew Astrachan. Beloved Great-Grandmother of Sophie, Chloe, Chelsea, Isabel and Alexandra Astrachan. Fashion writer (Tobe Service Editor), lifelong golfer (achiever of two documented holes in one), and past Chair of The Women's Campaign Board of the American Jewish Committee. Her style, elegance and humor will be greatly missed.

Honoring Sharon Margaret Cizdziel

Sharon Margaret Cizdziel (Kelter) was born in Canada.  She came to U.S.  as a 12 yr old girl.  As a teenager she was a gold medal winner for swimming.  Sharon was a single Mom of Kenneth and Kim Marie, life partner of Robert and step mom of Georgianna and Jennifer.  Sharon devoted her entire life to her kids and grandchildren Joshua and Tyler. Her son Kenneth was born deaf and special needs,  Sharon spent every day with him his whole life. They passed away 9 days apart.  Proving their special connection.

My Mom was the most giving, caring selfless, beautiful woman ever.  If you were her friend she would be there for you in an instant. If you were her child or Grandchild she would move mountains for you. I am who I am today because I had the most amazing mother on the planet.  Sharon loved to look pretty and if it was shiny she had to have it.  I walk this earth without my Mom, my best friend, and with a hole that only she can fill.  Yet I know she’s somehow she is still with me every step...WHEN ONE OF US IS GONE.. AND ONE OF US IS LEFT TO CARRY ON, OUR MEMORIES ALONE WILL GET US THRU. I LOVE YOU MOMMY.

Honoring Jeffrey Jensen

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Louis Jeffrey Jensen, age Sixty (1956-2016), of Easton, Connecticut, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, December 27th, at Yale New Haven Cancer Center in Connecticut. Jeff was born to Louis and Lucille Jensen on July fifteenth, 1956. He attended J.P. Stevens High School and graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

In 1991 Jeff married Marylou Petersen. They began their life together in Metuchen, New Jersey, where both their daughters were born. The family later moved to Cranbury, New Jersey, and then Easton, Connecticut, where they have lived for the last eighteen years. Jeff was a successful advertising and marketing executive, working with several companies such as : News America Marketing, Adspace, ZadSpace, and most recently, Linkable Networks. Jeff was an adventurous man; he received his pilot’s license in 1986, enjoying many flights in cessna aircraft. He was a lover of automobiles, and could be seen driving his 1966 Cobra or his Yamaha Star Motorcycle at every chance he could. A lifelong aficionado of music, Jeff both attended and reported on many international concerts throughout his life. Jeff and his wife Marylou loved attending Jazz Festivals; Montreaux, Montreal, North Sea, Bermuda, New Orleans, Newport-- Just to name a few. Jeff has been a long time supporter of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and enjoyed bringing his loved ones and friends to enjoy the band at every opportunity. Jeff was an Eagle Scout, and an athlete, running in ½ marathons and duathlons for many years. He was passionate about the outdoors and cycling with his wife and daughters. Jeff enjoyed attending the Belmont Stakes for the past thirty-eight years, where he waited for, and was so pleased by, the last two triple crown winners. Jeff took pride in his home and family, and loved to surround himself with friends, enjoying home-cooked meals, and a fine glass of Bourbon. Jeff was a brilliant and well-read man of conviction. No grass grew under his feet. He was a true and excellent friend to all who knew him, and an honorable and loving husband and father till the end.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Marylou, daughters Marlee Rayden Jensen and Callie Lucille Jensen, brother Gregg Lee Jensen, and many wonderful extended family and friends. Jeff was a passionate believer in civil rights and supported charitable endeavors all of his life.

Honoring Kenneth Cizdziel

Kenneth Cizdziel (1960-2017) was born deaf and special needs. He attended St Mary's school for the deaf in Buffalo, NY. He was the apple of his Mom, Sharon's eye and she vowed to devote her life to care for him and give him as normal a life as she could with the help of his grandparents Bud and Doris Kelter. Perhaps that was why he was always smiling. Kenny had one sister Kim Marie , and two nephews Josh and Tyler. He never missed one of their football or baseball games. Rain or shine he was there cheering them on. 

Kenny loved sports especially the Buffalo Sabres. For years he and his Mom had front row season tickets for the Sabres. Kenny met several of the players and was welcomed in the dressing room. He was given jerseys, pucks, and many autographed sticks over the years. He actually passed away putting Sabres jersey on. 

Sadly, Kenneth passed away just 9 days after his Mom, I’m sure of a broken heart because they had spent every day of his life together. This picture was taken the night before his death as he danced to the vibrations of his nephews band playing at his Moms memorial. He was a special angel here on earth and now he smiles down on us. He is at peace with his Mom where he felt safest.

Honoring Stephanie Collins

Many of us lost a loving and compassionate friend. Stephanie Collins, 49. She didn’t take life for granted. She lived and she loved and we all benefited from having her in our lives. Stephanie had many gifts, her smile, her eyes, her love and her compassion. Stephanie loved. Her friends and family were the most important part of her life. How lucky we were to have her in ours.