Former realtor, community volunteer Phyllis Scharff Stern graveside set for Wed.

PHYLLIS SCHARFF STERN, a former realtor and community volunteer,  passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024. She was 90.

Always an exceptionally warm and gracious lady, Phyllis was welcoming and kind to everyone she met throughout her life. A native New Orleanian, she was a graduate of Isidore Newman School and Newcomb College where she studied biology. After working as a laboratory technician at Touro Hospital, she took a sabbatical to start and raise a family with her former husband Louis Stern.

In later years she thoroughly enjoyed a second career as a real estate agent, working with Martha Ann Samuel, Inc. and Gertrude Gardner Realtors.

In addition to raising a family, caring for loved ones and spending time with dear friends, she was generous with her time, energy and effort in helping others in need of assistance. For many years she served on the board, ultimately becoming board president, of Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) and also gave her time and energy as a volunteer for National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and WYES-TV.

.At age 70 she moved to Dallas, TX to share 15 loving and fulfilling years with her beloved partner, Jerry Strug. Due to failing health, she returned to New Orleans in 2020 and lived out her remaining years at Lambeth House senior living community.

She is survived by her daughter Kathy Scharff Stern (partner Ken Carson) and son Michael L. Stern, two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 11:00am in Metairie Cemetery, Rabbi Daniel Sherman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages any memorial donations be made to Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS), P.O. Box 7368, Metairie, LA 70010-7368 https://www.jcrs.org or to Congregation Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 https://templesinainola.com