Jacqueline Schweitzer

Schweitzer, Jacqueline, age 85, died peacefully at home in Riverdale after a long illness, July 15; she is survived by her loving husband Frederick, daughter Elyse Jenkins, and stepson Manfred. Her childhood and youth were troubled and difficult: poverty, a terribly cruel father, the lifelong sadness from age 16 by the death of her mother, and her sixty-year heroic struggle with diabetes that began at age 25. More than enough to make one bitter, cynical, withdrawn or pessimistic, but Jackie was none of these. Rather, hers was a sunny disposition, friendly, outgoing, exceptionally sociable and communicative, buoyant, always ready with an engaging smile, a dash of wit and humor. Jackie beat all the odds and led a truly valiant life, thanks to her capacity to rise above adversity.

A new chapter in her life began when she met her second husband, Professor Frederick M. Schweitzer, at Manhattan College, where she was a secretary. They married in 1991. She became his assistant and partner in preparing his research and publications on Jewish history, the Holocaust, Israel reborn, and antisemitism. She loved to travel and they traveled widely to participate in scholarly conferences but also to visit relatives and historic sites and to enjoy art, music, and theatre – all over the United States and Canada and Europe. Jacqueline had a fine singing voice and one time aspired to a musical career, but as she wistfully recalled, there was no money for singing lessons. In retirement the couple compensated for their deprivation as “Depression Babies”: they joined theatre clubs and the opera guild and devoted many an evening or matinee to drama, musicals, dance, opera, and so on. Some of their happiest moments were dressing up to the nines, driving down to Lincoln Center, dining sumptuously in the Grand Tier at the Met, followed by choice seats for the opera, ballet, or the revival of South Pacific. Music was the one thing she was able to enjoy almost to the end of her life.

Funeral service conducted by Rabbi Stephen Franklin, 1:00 pm, Monday, July 21, Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Ave. Burial in King David Memorial Gardens, Putnam Valley, NY