Vera Schapps

Vera Kutcher Schapps, 106, of New York City died April 24, 2020. She had been a longtime resident of South Orange. A Hunter College pre-med graduate at the age of 18, Mrs. Schapps pursued a career in retailing.

Among her many involvement and leadership roles were serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, PTA president, UJA leader, synagogue worker, Brandeis University National Women’s committee president, Essex County Garden Club president, and blue ribbon recipient for flower arrangements. She did yoga and senior citizen aerobics and later in life took classes in Shakespeare, literature, and poetry.

During her life, she experienced being quarantined during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, attending the World War I Woodrow Wilson victory parade, and serving as a World War II air raid warden in New York City. She received (and framed) a letter celebrating her 100th birthday celebration from President Barack Obama.

Predeceased by her husband, Harold, she is survived by two daughters, Ann (Mel) Schaffer and Ellen Schapps (Richard) Richman; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

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Memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Museum, New York City.