Obituary of Jeanne Marie Lifson

JEANNE MARIE LIFSON (Age 76)

Jeanne died suddenly on Friday, May 12, 2023, at her home in Reston, Virginia. For more than 55 years she was the beloved wife of Fred Lifson. As mother to Mary Lifson Hilbert, of Rolesville, NC, and Matthew Jon Lifson, who died in 2005, there was none more devoted to her children. As grandmother to Samuel and Beth Hilbert she was called Nana, in fond memory of her own Nana, Mary Bedford, originally from County Mayo, Ireland.  The second of seven children, born to Edward Thomas Foerster and Lorrayne Bedford Foerster.  In her youth, she was a second mother to her younger siblings: Richard, Brian, Susan, James and Robert. 

 

A private person, Jeanne was wickedly smart, had a sharp wit, and was deeply funny. As an accountant, she saved countless businesses from the bookkeeping errors of her predecessors. As an English major, she always knew just what to say in the fewest, but most poignant, words possible. She loved dearly the seven dogs she had throughout her adult life, but Lucy most of all. Having traveled the world she claimed: to have heard the ghost of Catherine Howard in the halls of Hampton Court; that the sweetest pineapple could be found on the shores of Montego Bay; and, that it wasn’t worth the risk to climb the Teotihuacan Pyramid, on the grounds the steps were “too steep.”  It was in Hawaii she found herself most at peace. Having learned to sew as a teenager, in an age when seamstresses guarded their trade secrets, she made drapes, Halloween costumes, and clothes for her children, making her house a home. One of the greatest lessons she taught was this: if you don't know how, you can learn. 

 

She wisely believed that there isn’t anything that a bath, a hot cup of tea, and chocolate wouldn’t help. Jeanne was loved and will be missed every day by her husband and daughter. 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Jeanne Marie Lifson’s name (instructions below).

Interment is private. 

 

Donations & Dedications can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation:

1. Online: T2T.org While making your donation, select “Donate Now” and check the box to “dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone.”
2. By Mail: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306.  Make your check out to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and mail it back with this completed form.
3. By calling: 718-987-1931 Call and speak with a member of our Donor Services team Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM EST; and Saturday-Sunday 9AM-5PM EST.

Please be sure to include the memoriam and dedication information with your donation.

 

FOR DONATIONS, PLEASE SEE THE FORM BELOW.