Joan Schiff Beren

Joan Schiff Beren, matriach, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, extraordinary friend and inspiration to four generations, died suddenly Monday, January 25, 2016. As of this time, the funeral is expected to be Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at Hebrew Congregation, 1850 North Woodlawn Street, Wichita, Kansas 67208. Joan S. Beren would say her legacy and biggest accomplishment in life was raising her four “only” children, Nancy Tobin Beren, married to Larry S. Jefferson, MD; Amy Alexandria Beren Bressman, married to Robert I. Bressman; Julie Beren Platt, married to Marc E. Platt; and Adam Ephraim Beren, married to Ellen G. Beren. Her greatest delight was being grandmother to each of her favorite grandchildren and special “type”, William Bressman married to Lindsay Bressman, Samantha Platt Auerbach, married to Michael Auerbach, Theodore Bressman married to Ali Bressman, Irene Jefferson Sherman married to Jake Sherman, Elizabeth Jefferson Saiger married to David Saiger, Jonah Platt engaged to Courtney Galiano, Ethel Bressman, Alexander Jefferson married to Erica Kimmel, Hannah Platt, Benjamin Platt, Sophie Beren, Samuel Beren, Henry Platt and Esther Beren. She felt it a special privilege to love the third generation of her family and could not get enough of Ryan Auerbach, Leo Bressman, Noah Auerbach, Rivka “Ruby Tuesday” Bressman and Manya Saiger. Joan Berens life revolved around her children, the thrill of sports and she would travel anywhere in the world to celebrate with her family and friends. She was interested in everything about her family and all of their friends as well. She was up to date on each persons life as though that person was the only person she knew. When she was talking to you, there was no one else but you. She remembered everyones everything including birthdays, anniversaries and never missed the chance to wish her family and friends good luck before a special moment or would call just to say hello. Joan Beren was our family matriach and a role model to so many. She taught her family, and others by example, not only the importance of family, but the value of hard work, being a member of the community and helping others. She loved teaching at Hebrew Congregation, art in the public schools and was a most staunch advocate for the State of Israel. Through her exceptional intellect, a graduate of Columbus School for Girls, Wellesley College and a masters form Wichita State University, she contributed her mind and her money to causes about which she cared dearly. Notably, Joan Beren was President of the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, Chair of the Board of Regents of Wichita State University (WSU), Board of Governors of the WSU Endowment Association for the Arts, Vice President of the Community Council for Womens Studies, active member of the Wichita Art Museum, the Wichita Center for the Arts, Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood President and the League of Women Voters. For her many contributions, Joan Beren was honored with a plaque on the Plaza of Heroines at WSU, was recognized by the National Womens Division of the United Jewish Appeal, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation and the Gordon W. Evans Award from the Wichita /Sedgwick County Arts and Humanities Council. Joan Schiff Beren will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her because she had the rarest of abilities to make everyone in her life feel so loved and so special. Joan is also survived by her ex-husband and father of her children, Robert M. Beren. To honor her memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, 400 North Woodlawn Street Suite 8, Wichita, Kansas 67208. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Share