Jeanne Berenice Alper, resident of Burlingame, died on August 10, 2011. She was a loving wife of 49 years to Dr. Philip Alper, who passed away last year, and a cherished mother and grandmother to her three children and four grandchildren. Born August 29, 1936 to Aron and Tauba Sliwka in Paris, France, Jeanne was the fifth of seven children. She became an orphan at age seven as a result of the Holocaust and was raised in schools throughout France. She earned a baccalaureate degree and worked as a social worker before meeting Philip Alper, a U.S. Army medical officer serving in France. Jeanne followed Philip to New York and they married in Brooklyn on March 4, 1960. After Philip completed his medical residency, they drove across the country to live in San Francisco, moving to Burlingame in 1964. A full-time mother and homemaker, she also taught French for several years at Mills High School in Burlingame and, in her forties, earned a Bachelor's degree at San Francisco State University, graduating with honors. Jeanne became a proud American citizen after 25 years in the United States. Passionate about classical music, literature, and history, she was a voracious reader. She and Philip together were world travelers, pursuing their interests around the globe. A wonderful mother and grandmother, always sweet, funny and full of stories, she was deeply loved by her family. The recent loss of her husband to cancer was a tragedy, but the family finds solace in knowing that Philip and Jeanne are now together again. She is survived by son Glenn Alper (Lynne) of Orinda, son Marc Alper (Robin) of Novato, and daughter Nicole Alper of New York, as well as grandchildren Teddy, Evelyn, Elliot and Lauren, sister Yvette of Israel, and brothers Andre and Albert of France. A memorial service for both Philip and Jeanne will be held Thursday August 18, at 5:30 pm at the Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times from August 16 to August 18, 2011.

Note: Wife of Capt. Philip Alper, US Army.