Elizabeth Ann Shiffman

Elizabeth Ann (Weber) Shiffman, 93, of West Lafayette, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East. She was known for an irreverent sense of humor, a sharp mind, and a deep concern for the well-being of her family and friends.

She was born on April 10, 1932, in London, England to the late Harry and Doris (Myers) Weber.  She lived there until 1939, when she was evacuated to Wales at the start of World War II, where she remained until the war’s end.  In Wales, she was a member of a children’s theater group.

Back in London, she was accepted into the North London Collegiate School, one of the best girl’s day schools in England.  After completing studies there, she trained in speech therapy at London’s West End Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

After three years of study, she qualified as a speech therapist and received an appointment at the Northern Ireland Hospitals Authority in Belfast, where she worked with, among others, children with cerebral palsy.

Desiring further training, she applied to Purdue University, where she enrolled in 1960 as a graduate student in speech pathology and audiology, supported by a graduate clinical assistantship and a Fulbright award.  After completing her graduate studies, she stayed on at Purdue for many years, instructing numerous students in the practice of speech pathology.

While a graduate student at Purdue, she met Bernard Shiffman, a professor of French and French linguistics.  On December 20, 1961, they were married at Temple Israel.  He preceded her in death on August 19, 1994.

Elizabeth enjoyed gardening and received awards for the gardens she created at her home and at Westminster Village Retirement Community, where she spent her final years.  Among her other passions were attending opera, reading classic literature, performing in and stage managing plays, and traveling—she ventured across Asia, Oceania and Europe.

Surviving are two children, Jeremy (Mia) Shiffman of Sandy Spring, MD, and Andrea Shiffman of Woodside, NY, and two grandchildren, Aedan Shiffman and Samantha Shiffman.  All four share Elizabeth’s sense of humor.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, spouse and a brother, John Webber.

In her 80s, asked by her son what she would like for a remembrance ceremony when she passed on, she responded, “I don’t know. Surprise me.”

The public is invited to surprise her by attending a tea reception in her honor, to be held on Sunday, March 1^st from 2-4pm in the Cardinal Room of Westminster Village, 2741 North Salisbury St., West Lafayette.

You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com.