In Memory Of
Mona Scharff
1921
2017
Mona Scharff
March 14, 1921 — December 1, 2017
Mona Evelyn Creer Scharff, beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, died peacefully in her sleep November 28, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio at age 96, of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Mona lived in Louisville, Kentucky for most of her adult life, arriving there in 1956 at age 35 with her husband, Dr. Tom Scharff, and their first three children, Thomas W. (8), Gary (5) and David (2). Husband Tom, two years younger, had just completed his Ph.D at the University of Rochester, NY. The couple's daughter, Catherine, was born in 1956. Robert arrived in 1958.
In addition to managing a busy household of seven, Mona quickly found her place in a reading circle of university professor wives. The group met often to share their love of literature and comment on the turbulent affairs of the time and became fast, lifelong friends. Inspired by her Catholic faith and her friends at St. Williams Parish in inner city Louisville, Mona helped organize the Louisville Area Council on Religion and Race, which worked to desegregate housing. Mona also worked quietly in a broad array of service activities for the elderly, sick and homebound through Meals on Wheels and other unsung activities. A lifelong environmentalist, Mona promoted love of nature, especially birds and forests. Mona and Tom were committed to putting into practice their belief in the dignity and equality of all persons and the beauty of the planet, leaving powerful, life-changing impressions on their children.
Unable to matriculate to earn her own college degree, Mona cultivated her interests in art, literature and history, politics and current affairs, and the wisdom of religious writers of many faith traditions. An avid reader, she encouraged her children to enter into and find joy in the art and literature that affected her. She exhibited with Tom intellectual humility and openness, and loved learning as the foundation for a rich life of meaning and service. All their children attended college and succeeded in professional careers, in nursing, business, medicine and law.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on March 14, 1921, Mona was the oldest of five children born to her mother, Florence ("Flo"), and father Evan, a tool setter in a local brass factory. One sister died at the age of six, leaving brothers Ted and Dick, and sister Loretta. Evan struggled with alcohol and extended bouts of depression, and the family was always on the brink of financial collapse. In June 1943, Flo died of peritonitis; the sulpha medication that could have saved her had been diverted to the war effort. At 22, Mona took charge of the family. She found work as a secretary and pulled the family through that difficult period.
In the summer of 1946, Mona met Tom, a bright, kind and handsome Navy veteran attending college on the GI Bill. Tom was struck by Mona's strength of character, intellect, depth of compassion, and beauty. After a whirlwind courtship, the two married on September 14, 1946.
The couple's life was rich in friendships despite many burdens, including limited finances, challenges of serious illness, and a home destroyed by fire in 1961.
When Tom retired in 1985, Mona joined him in visits to relatives in Germany and Switzerland, and their children and grandchildren throughout this country. This was a time of great joy for them and all the family. On June 20, 2012, nine months after their 65th anniversary, Tom, 89, passed peacefully in Dayton, Ohio, in the presence of Mona and their daughter, Catherine.
Mona is survived by 37 family members, including sons Tom (Melissa), Gary (Barbara), David (Gizelle) and Bob (Judy); daughter Catherine (Don); 21 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her special friend, Trude Scharff. A private, family celebration of Mona's life will be held on January 6, 2018 in Louisville, where her ashes will be buried alongside Tom's. In lieu of flowers, please send donations and remembrances to any of these organizations dear to Mona: the Audubon Society, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, the Louisville Nature Center, the Christian Appalachian Project, and the World Wildlife Fund
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.NewcomerDayton.com.
Mona lived in Louisville, Kentucky for most of her adult life, arriving there in 1956 at age 35 with her husband, Dr. Tom Scharff, and their first three children, Thomas W. (8), Gary (5) and David (2). Husband Tom, two years younger, had just completed his Ph.D at the University of Rochester, NY. The couple's daughter, Catherine, was born in 1956. Robert arrived in 1958.
In addition to managing a busy household of seven, Mona quickly found her place in a reading circle of university professor wives. The group met often to share their love of literature and comment on the turbulent affairs of the time and became fast, lifelong friends. Inspired by her Catholic faith and her friends at St. Williams Parish in inner city Louisville, Mona helped organize the Louisville Area Council on Religion and Race, which worked to desegregate housing. Mona also worked quietly in a broad array of service activities for the elderly, sick and homebound through Meals on Wheels and other unsung activities. A lifelong environmentalist, Mona promoted love of nature, especially birds and forests. Mona and Tom were committed to putting into practice their belief in the dignity and equality of all persons and the beauty of the planet, leaving powerful, life-changing impressions on their children.
Unable to matriculate to earn her own college degree, Mona cultivated her interests in art, literature and history, politics and current affairs, and the wisdom of religious writers of many faith traditions. An avid reader, she encouraged her children to enter into and find joy in the art and literature that affected her. She exhibited with Tom intellectual humility and openness, and loved learning as the foundation for a rich life of meaning and service. All their children attended college and succeeded in professional careers, in nursing, business, medicine and law.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on March 14, 1921, Mona was the oldest of five children born to her mother, Florence ("Flo"), and father Evan, a tool setter in a local brass factory. One sister died at the age of six, leaving brothers Ted and Dick, and sister Loretta. Evan struggled with alcohol and extended bouts of depression, and the family was always on the brink of financial collapse. In June 1943, Flo died of peritonitis; the sulpha medication that could have saved her had been diverted to the war effort. At 22, Mona took charge of the family. She found work as a secretary and pulled the family through that difficult period.
In the summer of 1946, Mona met Tom, a bright, kind and handsome Navy veteran attending college on the GI Bill. Tom was struck by Mona's strength of character, intellect, depth of compassion, and beauty. After a whirlwind courtship, the two married on September 14, 1946.
The couple's life was rich in friendships despite many burdens, including limited finances, challenges of serious illness, and a home destroyed by fire in 1961.
When Tom retired in 1985, Mona joined him in visits to relatives in Germany and Switzerland, and their children and grandchildren throughout this country. This was a time of great joy for them and all the family. On June 20, 2012, nine months after their 65th anniversary, Tom, 89, passed peacefully in Dayton, Ohio, in the presence of Mona and their daughter, Catherine.
Mona is survived by 37 family members, including sons Tom (Melissa), Gary (Barbara), David (Gizelle) and Bob (Judy); daughter Catherine (Don); 21 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her special friend, Trude Scharff. A private, family celebration of Mona's life will be held on January 6, 2018 in Louisville, where her ashes will be buried alongside Tom's. In lieu of flowers, please send donations and remembrances to any of these organizations dear to Mona: the Audubon Society, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, the Louisville Nature Center, the Christian Appalachian Project, and the World Wildlife Fund
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.NewcomerDayton.com.
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