JOYCE ZEFF, an unpretentious, humble woman whose financial gifts to Denvers Jewish community will sustain it for many years to come, passed away Aug. 5, 2015. She was 84.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in September, her dedication to organizations and individuals alike never faltered.
Mrs. Zeff gave an unprecedented $5 million total endowment gift to IST ($3 million), JEWISHcolorado ($1 million) and Jewish Family Service ($1 million) in January, 2015.
Along with her late husband Kal Zeff, Mrs. Zeff received countless tributes. Buildings bear the couples name.
But a single motive propelled their generosity sharing their blessings with those less fortunate.
Mrs. Zeff was a fighter, and we were awed by the way she handled the difficulties in life, the family told the IJN. She appreciated what she had and just did what needed to be done.
Her highest priority was being there for us, and for others.
Rabbi Joe Black and Cantors Joel Lichterman and Elizabeth Sacks officiated at Mrs. Zeffs service Aug. 7 at Temple Emanuel, which was filled to capacity.
Joyce understood the importance not only of giving thanks for the goodness of her life but in giving back to the community of building a better world and sharing the many blessings with which she lived, Rabbi Black eulogized.
Read IJN editorial eulogizing Joyce Zeff
Mrs. Zeff cared deeply about people, he said. She was the kind of person who wanted to know everybodys story. Relationships were the driving force of her personality.
And yet she was a private person. There were very few people, other than family, who knew her well. She listened, often far more than she spoke. And when you were in her presence you felt grateful that you were able to share with her.
But Joyce was not the kind of person who wore her heart on her sleeve, he said. She was a giver, not a taker, all her life.
Yana Vishnitsky, president and CEO of JFS (the building on Tamarac is named for the Zeffs) was visibly shaken.
When I think about Joyce, I think about a wise, kind, compassionate person, she said at the service. She was intelligent and modest. She was comforting and unassuming.
I think about her always doing the right thing. She didnt participate in community politics. She was true to who she was. She was fair, nonjudgmental and genuine.
I think about an incredible human being who provided a sense of safety and security to those around her.
And I think about a friend whose friendship changed my life, and the life of Jewish Family Service.
One of Mrs. Zeffs grandchildren also spoke, as did Celeste Grynberg.
Mrs. Zeff, who never smoked, recently endowed a chair in lung cancer research at CUs Anschutz Center.
Interment followed at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
JOYCE ABELSON was born May 14, 1931, in Altoona, Pa., and grew up in Tucson, Ariz. She attended Stanford University and graduated UCLA.
Not long after moving to Denver, she married developer Kal Zeff on Dec. 31, 1958. Mr. Zeff passed away in 2005.
Our home was always open, Mrs. Zeffs family said. You could totally relax. When we were young, everyone elses house had strict rules, but you could be yourself at our home. Thats what our friends always said.
An active participant at her childrens schools, her passions encompassed Israel, Hadassah, JFS, JEWISHcolorado, National Jewish, the Joint Distribution Committee, JCC, ADL, AIPAC, the Denver Art Museum and the Gathering Place.
Elected to the JFS board in 1990, Mrs. Zeff served as vice president, 1993-1996; chair, 1997-1998; and past chair, 1999-2001. She was instrumental in helping JFS and SHALOM Denver obtain permanent homes.
Mrs. Zeff was on the national boards of JDC, the Assn. of Jewish Family and Childrens Agencies, and served on DUs Center for Judaic Studies board.
She also started the Right to Read program in the Cherry Creek public schools, was Hadassahs Netanya president and belonged to BMH-BJs board.
Mrs. Zeff, the first recipient of the JCCs Hineni Award in 2011, received JFS Jack Shapiro Community Service Award and was honored by National Jewish, among others.
Mom liked to lunch, her family said. And she loved doing everything with us.
She played tennis in her youth; belonged to a discussion group that examined a Jewish-related topic of the day; and loved the beach and swimming.
Mrs. Zeff enjoyed sports watching them, not playing them, the family said.
She regularly attended the Boston Music Festival and was fascinated by politics and current affairs.
But more than anything, she was a just a great and devoted mother, her loved ones said.
Mrs. Zeff is survived by her children Diana Zeff Anderson of Denver, Ron Zeff of California, Michael Zeff of California and Dana (Julie) Zeff of California; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Contributions may be made to JFS or JEWISHcolorado.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
