Memorial Service for Prof. Daphne Schiff

When:
April 29, 2018 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
2018-04-29T11:00:00-04:00
2018-04-29T14:00:00-04:00
Where:
Albert Tucker Room (Senior Common Room)
317 York Hall
Glendon Campus, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York
ON M4N 3M6
Cost:
Free

Pilot, professor, adventurer, staunch family supporter, lady.

Daphne Fane Dorothy Line Schiff lived a fortunate and adventuresome life. Born in Edmonton on her mother’s birthday but raised in Toronto, Daphne majored in Physics and Chemistry at the University of Toronto, completing a master’s degree in an era when few women dared to venture into science. There she met her future husband, Harold Schiff. Daphne worked at National Research Council in Chalk River before taking time off to raise a family to school age. Daphne next accepted a position as Assistant Professor in Natural Sciences at Glendon College of York University in Toronto, developing skills in writing and directing movies aimed at delivering the excitement of science to students.

Mid-career, she developed a passion for flying, earning her twin and commercial pilot licenses and completing the challenging “Round the World” race (1994) and the “Race of the Americas” (Alaska, USA to Ushuaia, Argentina to Alaska, 1997). In later years, Daphne flew in western Africa with the humanitarian organization, Air Solidarité, raising funds for community projects. She was recognized with an honorary degree from York University.

Daphne slipped the “surly bonds of earth” on 15 December 2017 leaving her children, Michael Schiff and Sherry Schiff English (Michael), 4 grandchildren (James (Shavone), Kyla (Justin), Emmaline and Jaslyn English), sister, Kathryn (John), sister-in-law, Sandra Landau and many nieces and nephews who remember her generosity of spirit and her commitment to her extended family.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 11 AM in the Albert Tucker Room (Senior Common Room), 3/F York Hall 317. A light lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the “Daphne Schiff Fund in Natural Sciences” to establish a scholarship at Glendon College of York University would be very much appreciated.