Obituary of D. Jo Schaffer

On June 20, 2025, D. Jo Schaffer, an active member of the Cortland community for nearly 60 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Jo was a devoted mother and grandmother. People of the community knew Jo for her extraordinary service to SUNY Cortland, the State of New York and from her leadership of of the United University Professions (UUP) union to far-reaching advocacy efforts to support civic engagement and women’s rights. Jo’s commitment to improving the lives of others remains a model for everyone to follow.
 
Jo is survived by her three sons—David, Peter, and Daniel—her daughters-in-law Alison Schaffer, Diane Scheidle, and Jackie Krese, and her beloved grandchildren Meredith Steffan (Zack), Marc Schroder (Brittany), Jacob Schaffer, Lilian Schaffer, and Gavin Schaffer. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Rhea Sharekfin.
 
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jo was a champion of public education and revered her father who had taught at Brooklyn College of CUNY. She attended Midwood High School before earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art from Brooklyn College, where her father, David Sharefkin taught for many decades. She also received a certificate in art history from the University of Paris and completed doctoral work in art history at Binghamton University. She taught art in the New York City public schools prior to coming to SUNY Cortland.

Jo joined SUNY Cortland’s Art and Art History Department in 1967, where she served as the curator of visual resources and was later honored as Slide Curator Emerita upon her retirement in 1996, after 23 years of dedicated service. During her tenure, she worked across all academic disciplines, locating and providing photographic images for instructors throughout the campus. Even after retirement, Jo remained an active and influential presence in both campus and community life, as reflected by the many honors she received. A passionate advocate for her colleagues, she continued to play a vital role in union affairs, particularly on issues affecting the university’s 3,300 retirees. From 1987 to 1997, she served eight years as UUP’s statewide Membership Development Officer, and from 1999 to 2007, she was an elected representative to the Committee on Active Retired Membership (COARM).
Schaffer was a tireless advocate for public policy, human rights, Israel, and social justice. Locally, she was an active member of CAPE (Citizens for Aquifer Protection and Employment), working to protect the environmental and economic well-being of the Cortland community. Jo was a voice for City of Cortland residents, attending innumerable city council meetings to express her passionate concerns and opinions. During her time at SUNY Cortland, she served as the UUP (United University Professions) chapter president, representing faculty and professional staff, and was a prominent leader in statewide labor union efforts.
Her lifelong commitment to advocacy and public service was recognized in April 2025, when she received the prestigious New York State Senate Commendation Award from Senator Lea Webb. At the ceremony, Senator Webb remarked, “Whether through her leadership with the League of Women Voters, her volunteer work registering voters, or her role as a founding member of the Cortland Arts Council, Schaffer’s impact has been felt by many.” Webb concluded, “She has consistently gone above and beyond—from moderating candidate forums to educating voters and serving on countless boards and committees.” In 2023, Schaffer was also honored with the Alice Walker Award by the League of Women Voters of Cortland County.
 
Schaffer’s decades-long legacy of community service and volunteer leadership extended to numerous local organizations, including the YWCA, the City of Cortland’s Historic District Review Board, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland Youth Hockey, and the Cortland Arts Council, where she served as a founding member. She also played a pivotal role in initiating and establishing the SUNY Cortland Children’s Center—a cherished resource that has brought joy and support to generations of College and community families. Her presence was deeply valued by the Anderson/Rose Poetry Table and Associates, and her tireless advocacy for labor rights was recognized by the AFT Women’s Rights Committee, which honored her in July for 50 years of continuous union service. That remarkable service is further distinguished by her historic leadership as the first—and only—woman to serve three terms as President of the Cortland UUP Chapter, and the only professional staff member ever to hold that position. Among her many memorable contributions, she broke barriers in 1976 by becoming the first female coach of a youth hockey team in Cortland, leading the Junior Deputies to a league championship.
 
Jo enjoyed travel. In addition to completing her lifelong goal of visiting the 7 manmade wonders of the world, she particularly enjoyed spending time in Paris where, for over 80 years, she shared her love of art while developing a large network of friends and associates. For many years, she spent as much as six months a year as a Paris resident. During her years in Paris, Jo shared her home with countless friends and family. An amazing tour guide, Jo shared her deep love and vast knowledge of Paris, its museums, art, architecture, people, and food.
 
In 1997, Jo established two SUNY Cortland scholarships through the Cortland College Foundation. The Jo Schaffer Scholarship in Art History is awarded to an outstanding SUNY Cortland junior in art history. The Jo Schaffer Award in Social Justice is presented for outstanding community service and activism on behalf of the disadvantaged.  
Jo will always be remembered for leading behind-the-scenes volunteer work with passion, humility and grace. She truly was a force for good in our community, and her legacy of service will live on forever in Cortland.

A private celebration of life will take place in Cortland. In lieu of flowers or other gifts or donations, contributions to the scholarships can be made in Jo’s memory. Please send contributions to Jo Schaffer Art History Scholarship Fund, Brockway Hall Room 312, Cortland NY, 13045.