Minnie Schreiber

SCHREIBER Minnie Schreiber, 91, passed peacefully on April 27, 2010, in Jacksonville, FL. She was born January 31, 1919, in Brunswick, GA. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree and the University of Kentucky with a Master's Degree in Microbiology. Minnie was a Senior Microbiologist for the State of Florida, and she was the last surviving member of her generation. She took her family role very seriously. She came to believe that she represented them all and tried to live in such a way as to honor their memories. Minnie was a pioneer in laboratory research and had served at Johns Hopkins University in development of new techniques for isolating and identifying bacteria. She was the first female President of River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged and River Garden Holding Company. She served as a trustee for both until her passing. She was a member of the Board for The Coves Independent Retirement Living Community, volunteer librarian at Kramer Library at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, treasurer and volunteer at River Garden auxiliary gift shop, and a volunteer with National Council of Jewish Women delivering Kosher Meals on Wheels. Minnie was the past President and Board member of the Pilot Club of Jacksonville and also Jacksonville section of American Association of University Women. She volunteered with Mayo Clinic Parkinson's Research Laboratory. She was the recipient of National Council of Jewish Women's "Women in Power" award; Jacksonville Jewish Center's "Woman of Valor" award, and Joe P. Safer Community Service Award. She had an extraordinary capacity to integrate her immense love for her family, her friends, her community, and her scientific work so that there was no hierarchy among these activities. Rather, her love and commitment to each of these areas of her life were woven together so that each area infused the others with meaning. She had the unique ability to combine the abilities conceptual thinking and planning with the willingness to work on tedious detail-laden tasks for long hours without seeming to question or doubt the worthiness or importance of whatever job she undertook. Her life was devoted to serving others to ensure health and safety of all Floridians and her immense love for Judaism. Her memory will be a blessing to all who knew her. Minnie is preceded in death by her parents; Sam and Annie Leah Schreiber, and her siblings: Isadore, John, Abe, Joe, Harry, and Ruth Schreiber. Her honorary pallbearers will include: The Trustees of the Boards of River Garden Hebrew Home, Sue Palmer and Anne Presser. Services will be held on Friday, April 30th at 1 p.m. at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged, 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258 or the Jacksonville Jewish Center, 3662 Crown Point Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257.