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Jeri, a beloved member of the Class of ’59, passed away peacefully Oct. 20, 2017, in Belleair Beach, Fla., where she was serving as a member of the city council. Belleair is city of nearly 34,000 near Clearwater, and those who served with her praised her skills at local government.
“She was always kind, thoughtful and fair in her work with council, staff and citizens. She will be greatly missed,” wrote the city’s finance officer, Melanie Kruszona, on Legacy.com. Added former city manager Nancy Gonzalez: “Jeril was a beautiful woman inside and out with the kindest heart. I will truly miss her. . . . She loved the city she lived in and was a great councilmember.”
Earlier in life she had been a magazine editor, school teacher, real estate agent, law office manager, councilwoman, and water aerobics instructor. She was dedicated to family, especially grandchildren. She delighted in her dog, Chloe. Avocations were baking and traveling. In 1985 Jeril married Bruce Cohen HPHS ’58, then a prominent attorney in Atlanta, and helped raise his three children as her own. Bruce passed away in 2009.
Surviving her are her children, Rob, Katja, Eric, Brandon, Anna, Seth and Ross; grandchildren, Alex, Jake and Ryan; brother, Richard, and sister, Mary.
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Barbara Rady (Kazdan)
Jeri was a dear friend in our HPHS days, one of the "Regulars" - my inner circle. We carpooled every day and spent lots of our after school time together. I lost touch with Jeri until recently (didn't get to see her at our last reunion because her husband fell ill) but I remember her and her family fondly. My heartfelt condolences to her children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
Suzanne Schechter (Bermant)
I gess we should not be shocked by this, but it is still hard to take. It seems that I am saying good by to too many girl friends in my life. Jeri and I were not close friends, but I did know and liked her. Suzanne Schechter Bermant
Geri Schinder (Yonover)
Jeril and I reconnected about 9 years ago and realized that we were only some 50 miles apart in Florida. Jeril was a courageous, brave and an extraordinary woman. Her life was filled with so many who loved her, including my husband and me. Jeril was compassionate, accomplished and totally in the moment. We were privileged to be in her company and we will miss her. Jeril and I of course were part of the "Regulars"( as we self-styled ourselves) in Braeside and beyond and I recall her lovely and intelligent parents who were always around when we had slumber parties at her house on Iris Lane. I've met her 5 sons, daughter- in- law and grandchildren who adored her, with good reason, and they are all chips off the same wonderful block!
Bonnie Glazier (Lipe)
I was so sad to learn about Jeri of Iris Lane. I spent many afternoons in her home. Her dog Kipper was the neighborhood Dalmatian. Her brother Ricky was good friends with my late brother Michael. Although we haven't been in touch since early 60s I'm pleased to read she had a very fulfilling life.
Bonnie Glazier Lipe...one of The Regulars
Judith Pettingell
I remember Jeri as full of enthusiasm and openess.... combined with a little bit of greatly appreciated devilment. Didn't she play a naughty lady in our class play ... and very effectively? There were Saturday morning get togethers when 18 - 20 of us in our Junior and Senior years would get together to "study" for our SATs (while at least half of us were avid canasta players when it was our turn to sit out the qyuizzing cards - - fortunately I've long since forgotten anything about the the additction of that game). Jeri's home was always open to us and a place where we shared a goodly amount of good times. I'm sure our Saturday morning studies made a difference in my getting into the college that I loved.
Only 2 - 3 years ago John (Scornavaco), my sister Winkie, Jeri Schinder and her husband (all 4 live in Sarasota) and I spent an evening with Jeri Scwab at her home along a beautiful canal in the Tampa area with her and also her brother. It was an evening filled with grace and humor. She mentioned the great happiness and love she had found after end of her marriage to Phil Cohen and the all too few (but very happy) years they spent together before his untimely death.
We also agreed to not discuss politics because we had all recently voted for the then incumbant except Jeri's brother .... and what was the point of ganging up on him. It was clear, though, that Jeri took delight in having all her guests support her political beliefs, something NOT taken for granted in FL. What a wonderful evening we all had and something I was looking forward to repeating this coming winter. What a loss!! Jeri was an especially wonderful woman.
Steven Seiler
So sad to see the passing of another HPHS classmate. Jeri was a joy and reading about her life so clearly accomplished a great deal and lived life fully! Blessing to her family and thank you for the chance to know her!
Mary Beth Cohn (Horwood)
I was very sad to read that Jeri had passed away although I knew that she had been battling cancer for a number of years. She was my friend since 4th grade. Our parents were dear friends as well. Bill Schwab and my Dad tormented each other on the golf course, Frances Schwab stepped in to fill the void left by my mother's death when I was 13, our families traveled together and Jeri and I were good friends through college and beyond. As we read, she lived a full and productive life. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and many friends. She will be missed.
Ronald Weiland
Better late than Never:
I knew Jeri at HPHS. For some strange reason, we bonded as we walked around those hallowed halls.
I knew her as a very sweet girl, always asking me " How are YOU doing Ron" after I asked her.
I had a date with Jeri and we went to the Alcyon theater to see a movie where she argued about paying,
I paid the $1,00 Ea, or whatever it was at the time. After we drove around as I had borrowed a Convertable
Ford from my friend Tom Esdale from Ravinia. Great time, sweet girl. We finished our date just talking in her driveway about so many things, I loved Jeri, she was so warm and kind.
She deserves and belongs in a special place, oh what a loss.
My Deepest Sympathy to all who loved Jeri.
Ron Weiland
Christmas, 2017