Jean Orthia Young was born on January 5, 1933 in Hecktown, Lower Nazareth Township, PA, the daughter of Russell Dech Young and Katherine Cecelia (Saylor) Young. Her sister, Dawn Arleine, was born on August 8, 1938, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Meadow Lane in Nazareth. They became active members of St. John's Lutheran Church where Jean was confirmed at the age of 14. As a teenager, she played the clarinet and sang in the glee club at Nazareth Area High School until she graduated in 1950. She was a member of Earl Held's All-Girl Band and, following high school, she pursued her vocation in the business field as a clerical assistant, typist/proofreader and teletypesetter. In 1954 she entered Lutheran Deaconess School of the United Lutheran Church in America, and received a diploma for parish secretarial work. After employment of two years as secretary for the Board of Foreign Missions in New York City, she became a parish secretary in Allentown, PA and later a full-time volunteer as a hospital visitor for the Lutheran Inner-Mission in Reading, PA.

She married Merrill Edward Schiffert on October 21, 1967 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Allentown, where she later was a choir member and served on the Pastoral Care Team. Merrill died on March 17, 1995. They had no children.

After her marriage, Jean's career was broadened as a secretary in the Legal Department of GAC Corporation, Allentown, and later as a secretary to the Executive Secretary of the American Mathematical Society. In 1993 she retired after 22 ½ years of service at Lehigh University having served in the President's Office as a secretary and a coordinator in the Department of International Relations.

She was a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem where she completed 11,000 hours of service as an office assistant in the Volunteer Office. For more than ten years she was an usher at Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.

Her hobbies include water colors and oil painting, an appreciation for classical music, singing with the St. Luke's Singers and St. John's Lutheran Church chancel choir, Allentown, and attending opera and theatrical productions. She always appreciated an opportunity to serve where needed and valued family and friends.

Jean is survived by her sister, Dawn Elliott of Nazareth; nephews, John and Jim Elliott; two great-nephews, Jessel amd Jerel; five great-great-nephews; and a great-great niece.

Jean commented that her parents chose the name "Jean Orthia", so that her initials spelled 'J O Y'. She would like to think her whole life reflected the JOYS of a Loving Father in the lives of those she touched.

A Memorial Service will be held at Luther Crest at 10 AM on Tuesday, February 27, in the Crest Room.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jean's name may be sent to St. Luke's Hospice House, c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.