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One of the things that makes our club special to many of us is that over time we get to know each other. We ultimately become friends and see each other as extended family. We saw the sense of family originally demonstrated in the aftermath of the Witch Creek Fire in 2007. Four of our members lost their homes and club members were there to help these club members sift through the ashes. Since that time, we have lost either members or spouses of members and in each instance a large number of club members attended the memorial service for the the lost spouse or member. Last week, we again demonstrated that we care each other at the two memorials. Miriam Sheps March 31, 1936 - March 27, 2017  | | Rabbi at far left during graveside memorial |
On Monday, March 27, Martin Sheps wife, Miriam, passed away. Miriam had suffered for over 10 years with a painful medical condition that kept her at home and increasingly incapacitated and largely bedridden. With the support of Martin and his family and members of their temple, Miriam was still able to contribute to those who could visit her. She loved children's stories and children enjoyed visiting her because of the stories she would tell them. Approximately 16 members of RB Sunrise Rotary Club joined with family and friends of Miriam and Martin at the graveside service at El Camino Memorial Park on Thursday, March 30. In a traditional Jewish funeral service, rabbis made remarks and conducted the various Jewish funeral traditions. Subsequently Miriam's remains were laid to rest in the traditional burial ritual. Many of us continued on after the gravesite service to Milton's Deli in Del Mar. There we could continue to celebrate Miriam with Martin and his family Kendra Jeffcoat July 2, 1947 - February 28, 2017 On February 28, 2017, Kendra Jeffcoat passed away after a long battle with cancer. Kendra collapsed at home on a Sunday in January 2013. Examination at the hospital revealed that Kendra had stage 4 lung cancer. Kendra had never been a smoker and had not had any symptoms prior to that time. It is a testament to Kendra's will and positive attitude that she not only survived through 2013, but continued on for over 4 years. We were blessed to have her with us for a far longer period of time. At every turn, her spirit was an inspirition to us all.  | | Carl Kruse speaking about Kendra |
Kendra and Jay were long time member of the church. Kendra and Jay were actively involved in many ways in the church including a cancer support group. However, Kendra and Jay were active in Rancho Bernardo through the Chamber of Commerce and the Spirit of the Fourth. Kendra also continued to work as a professor in the Education Department at San Diego State University. One of her few failures was in the area of retirement. She literally couldn't comprehend the idea of not working and continued to work until the late fall of 2916. Everywhere she went she gathered friends. On Saturday, April 1, Kendra's memorial service was held at 10:00 am in the sanctuary of the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church. The pastor for this service was Dr. Woody Garvin, who is a long time friend and former senior pastor at RBCPC. Carl Kruse, a past president of our club and a past district governor gave a very thoughtful and inspirational overview of the Kendra that we knew, loved and respected. Beside over 50 members and spouses of RB Sunrise Rotary, the church was filled with her many friends, some from Imperial Valley where Kendra was a dean in the community college in El Centro. Kendra, who was ever the organizer was heavily involved in planning her memorial service. She chose the music (her favorite inspirational show tunes). The service itself was inspirational and emotional for all of us that knew her. After a reception at the church, many of us gathered at the Bernardo Winery for a celebration party that Kendra also pressured Jay to do for her. Always the positive person, Kendra wanted us to remember her, not in sadness, but in joy for the positive example she always was for each of us. |
