Jean Fried Jaffe

by | Jun 24, 2021 | Obituaries

Virginia Beach—Jean Fried Jaffe, who asked everyone to call her Mimi, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2021.

Married to her college sweetheart Jerry (Pop) for 70 years, Mimi was devoted to family. In her 91 years, she was most proud of their three children: Susan (and husband Alan), Ross (and wife Eve), and Ellen, and her six grandchildren: Sarah (and husband Derek), Eric (and fiancee Kristin), Jenny (and fiancee Dan), Brooke, Julia, and Rachel. Mimi was also blessed to share her life with Jayne Poston, her caregiver and best friend for over a dozen years.

Mimi graduated from William & Mary with a BS in economics and became a teacher. Mimi was passionate about academic achievement and extracurricular activities. She was always there to support and cheer us on. Mimi drove thousands of miles to make sure we had the best education, see us play sports, and sit in the front row of every music and theater performance.

Mimi taught us to wear sunscreen, drink water, use cloth napkins, polish the silver, keep our elbows off the table, and have a cookie jar filled with ice cream cones. She was the family photographer, capturing every moment, and now leaves us with drawers and boxes full of photos to reminisce.

Mimi showed us how to live with grace and good manners—to be kind, generous, patient, and polite. Because of Mimi, we appreciate the simple acts of saying please and thank you, keeping fresh flowers on the table, feeding everyone who walks in the house, and leaving the door open for anyone who needs a place to stay. With her elegant handwriting, Mimi showed us all how to write the most thoughtful thank you notes.

Mimi, this is our thank you note to you! We are grateful for your guidance and for encouraging each of us to be our best. To our friends and family, we hope you smile when you hear someone say, “oh my lands!” with a sweet, Richmond accent or eat a banana with peanut butter. For those who never met our Mimi, take the time to handwrite someone a letter and know that you have touched their heart.

You lived life beautifully, Mimi, inside and out. We love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck, forever and always. We will miss calling you when we get home, no matter what time it is. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to let Pop know and take good care of him.

Donations to Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center or Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater. Condolences may be expressed at www.simplycremationonline.com.