Senior Citizen Program student dies at 81
By Fangfang Li | Editorial Assistant
Jean Stern, a Senior Citizens Program student who has attended the University of Indianapolis since 1993, passed away on Nov. 9 at the age of 81.
According to Rebecca Sorley, associate professor of the music department who had Stern in her Piano Class I this semester, Stern stayed in her class through the midterms but later died after a heart surgery.
In the past 16 years, Stern took classes in many different areas that she was interested in at UIndy, such as music, computer and psychology. Her dedication to study and good personality impressed people around her.
“She was absolutely an inspiration. Whenever I would see her, she was like a wave of sunshine,” said Roberta Thompson, former UIndy administrative assistant who has known Stern for years. “She loved to study and keep her mind active. She just always had an upbeat attitude. She got along well with everyone, and she really enjoyed getting to know people. It didn’t matter who it was, she was always open to new friendships.”
Despite the obstacles that Stern’s age brought to her study, Sorley said Stern was actually interested in playing piano and made great efforts on finishing everything she needed to.
“Many people at that age are afraid of technology, but she wanted to do it the same way that all the other students did, so she didn’t want anything special just because she was an older student,” Sorley said. “She really did like music, and she enjoyed hearing other people play and she wanted to be able to do it herself. Her daughter said that her goal was to be able to play ‘Happy Birthday,’ so she worked on that a lot. She practiced more than any of the other students.”
Thompson said Stern always set a high standard for herself.
“She was just a delight, she really was. But if she had one flaw, it was just that she beat herself up so much if she didn’t do well. She had to make the very best. Once she got one B, it just broke her heart. She was just so worried about her grades,” Thompson said.
Stern is survived by two daughters and one granddaughter.
“Her granddaughter was very proud of her and proud of the fact that she was working so hard,” Thompson said. “She said her grandmother loved the University of Indianapolis so much and really enjoyed taking classes.”
Sorley said she would miss Stern not only because Stern was her student, but also because the inspiration that Stern brought to her.
“She was an inspiration to me as a teacher and as a person. We use the term ‘lifelong learning’ and she was a perfect example of that. She continued to learn,” Sorley said. “I remember she told me that she had taken something basically from every department in the university and she would open up the course catalog and she said it was like Christmas. I think she was a great role model for all ages, including me, because I was inspired by that.”
