Maurice Scheni
Maurice Scheni, 93, died on Wednesday evening, January 7, 2015.
He was born in Paris, France on January 8, 1921. Although he was a quiet man, his life was filled with many struggles and adventure which he met with unshakable determination and courage. Maurice escaped several times from the Nazi occupation during World War II and demonstrated his tremendous love for his family by ensuring that his wife and young son were able to flee from Paris.
After the war, at the request of his wife’s sister, Raye Jaffe, he brought his family from Nice to Chattanooga. Upon their arrival, Maurice and his wife, Mireille sold shoes at Rossville Shoe store, using their broken and limited English. Mireille went on to teach French at Baylor School for many years while Maurice managed the Top Value Stamp Redemption store. Many years later, he became a diamondologist and worked at Matisoff’s Jewelry store.
Maurice’s passions were first his family and secondly—tennis. He was a life-long tennis player who won many trophies as well as medals in the Senior Olympics. He continued to play until his 89th birthday when he had heart surgery. Never being one to give up, Maurice continued to exercise at the YMCA three times a week until the week before his death. He was regarded by every member of his family as a loving, optimistic, dependable, genuine man.
Maurice was preceded in death by his wife, Mireille and his son, Mike. He is survived by his daughter, Monique Lewis, his two grandsons, David and Ben Sikes, his granddaughters, Margaret and April as well as his six great-grandchildren, Daniel, Molly, Thomas, Asher, Jack, and Liam.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made in Maurice’s name to your favorite charity or: The Jewish Federation, (Social Services), P.O. Box 8947, Chattanooga, TN 37411 or Unitarian Universalist Church, 3224 Navajo Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
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Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 423-877-3524.