Jacilyn "Jaci Schiffern" Schiffern

The world lost a little of its sunshine today, June 5, 2013, as Jaci Schiffern passed away after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. As she left us to dance with the love of her life, she had her ever-present smile on her face and was surrounded by her loved ones. Jacilyn Ashworth Schiffern was born April 22, 1949 in Idaho Falls to Jay and Shirley Ashworth. She was the middle child between Gaye and Lonny. She began dance lessons when she was two years old, after crying that Gaye's class was dancing to "her song" - "A -You're Adorable". She was active in pep club and student council, and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. She spent three summers working in Yellowstone National Park, and loved her time there. She began college at Idaho State University, but then left to explore the world as a flight attendant with United Airlines. Jaci met the love of her life, Dick, while working as a flight attendant in Denver. They were married January 22 1972, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and then had their first son, Shadley, in 1973 while living in Richmond, Virginia. They moved back to Idaho Falls where Cory, and then Alison were born. After Ali was born, Jaci returned to Idaho State and completed her degree in Elementary Education. She began teaching kindergarten at Dora Erickson, and then transitioned to teaching 1st grade, at both Emerson and Linden Park, before returning to kindergarten to finish out her career. She loved to bring the gift of reading to her students. She taught for a total of 25 years, and made a difference in innumerable young lives. Jaci enjoyed so many activities, and shared these with her loved ones. She loved Island Park, cross-country skiing and hiking. She loved to dance and read. She loved crafts and made many things for all of us. She loved to laugh, and game night at the Schiffern house was always sure to be a good time. Jaci's main passion however were her kids and grand kids. She always welcomed all of our friends and family over at any time, usually with M&Ms or brownies. She had a very strong sense of wrong and right, and taught us to be champions for equal rights. As we got older, she became a best friend to all of us. She was supportive in everything we did, traveling around the country to spend time with each of us, and filling the in-between time with daily phone calls. For Jaci, family always came first. When Dick was ill with Frontotemporal Dementia, Jaci cared for him through it all. Despite all of the tough times, she remained positive and determined to have him treated fairly and in a loving fashion. Jaci was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, and underwent treatment with style and grace. When her cancer recurred in 2012, she faced it with an ever-positive attitude, giving hope to all around her. Even in her final days, she greeted everyone with a smile, a laugh, and an "I love you". Jaci was an amazing friend, someone who would truly listen and was invested in your life; she has more best friends than most people have acquaintances. She truly lit up every room she entered as love emanated from her. We will all miss Jaci; her warmth, her smile, her laugh. She will remain an example of how to truly live a life, making each moment count. Her presence in our lives will be missed every minute, but she will forever remain in our hearts and a constant influence in how we live our lives every day. She is survived by her children Son, Shadley (Lynn) Schiffern of Davidson, North Carolina; Son, Cory (Rick) Schiffern of Chicago, Illinois; Daughter, Alison Schiffern of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Grandchildren Taylor and Logan Schiffern; Sister, Gaye (Don) Shaff of Boise, Idaho; Brother, Lonny (Vicki) Ashworth of Boise, Idaho; and her dear companion Rod Becker of Boise, Idaho. She is also survived by all of her extended family and friends who love her. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Albert Schiffern, and her parents, Jason and Shirley Thomas Ashworth. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to one of the following charities: Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (www.theaftd.org), Women Helping Women, or the Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org). Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will meet with friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Friday, and from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Saturday, both at Wood East Side. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.