Joele (Sletson) Jaffe
August 7, 1932- October 13, 2014

Joele passed away quietly and contented. Over the past year and a half she showed love to her caregivers at Epworth Manor Memory Care Unit (Tyrone). This special group of people returned her soft manner with much affection and true caring and thoughtfulness. Very impressive.

Joele endured a difficult childhood, living in New York City with her Mother (Edna Van Veen) and her brother (Jay-me Van Veen). She spent considerable time in boarding schools during her youth without really knowing her Father (Jay Van Veen divorced Edna). Eventually as a young teenager, she ventured to California to get to know her Father. A loving bond developed, however it was short lived as he died very young.

Joele married Mike Sletson in 1951 and had two children, Jay (1956) and Roy (1958). The young family moved to Philadelphia in the early 1960's. In 1968 she showed immense courage when she divorced Mike, and eventually got a job, and custody of her children. She worked very hard to support her family. Extreme financial difficulties resulted... in this decade (is it any different now?) a woman with just a high school diploma did not earn much money. In fact, simultaneously humorous and sad, in 1970 Jay and Roy's combined income as paper boys was greater than Joele's take home pay from her full time secretarial job!

In 1970 she married Dr. Marvin Jaffe, a Philadelphia Veterinarian, and brought him much joy and happiness for many years. She partnered with her husband in the animal practice, serving as business manager, assistant in surgery, and chief bottle washer. Upon Bud Jaffe's death, Joele relocated to Sarasota, FL. She volunteered for many organizations, driving older Floridians to Doctor's appointments, delivering meals to those in need, and providing many with random acts of kindness.

One of Joele's greatest thrills was when she got to hold a live Koala while on a trip to Australia. She was Koala crazy, the proof of which was demonstrated when she had Gisela Salmon paint a Koala mural on a wall of her Florida residence.

Joele had a profound ethical and moral compass. For instance, she would not invest in stocks that did not adhere to her sense of righteousness. Many a financial manager was exacerbated by her unwavering tenacity in this regard.

Joele cherished her favorite (only!) grandson, Joshua. What a special and joyous relationship they had. Joele's big and wide smile was a telling display of her kindness. She generously and often bestowed her love upon Roy and Hammer Sletson and Jay and Eileen Sletson. She developed a close relationship with her brother's children - Susan (San Diego), Steven, Chuck, Linda, and Brian Van Veen (Kansas City vicinity). She was very fond of Don and Lynne Selkow (Philadelphia). While in Sarasota she developed a deep friendship for Evelyn Parrott, Peter and Gisela Salmon, and Joni Steinberg - and she resurrected a friendship with a childhood friend, Gerrie Born (Clearwater, FL).

The wisdom she gained over the years can be simply put into practice by all of us. Love one another, and show it very conspicuously. We all possess this gift, and bestowing it upon family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike does in fact enrich OUR lives as well as those we touch.

There will be a gathering on Saturday October 18th beginning around Noon at 1988 N. Oak Lane, State College, PA 16803