Obituaries

Esther Sherrill Havens Penny Schatt

Esther Penny Schatt, age 99, of East Lake Weir, Fla., died on Nov. 12, 2011.

She grew up in Mattituck, Long Island, New York, the daughter of Arthur Havens Penny and Anna Marie Naumer Penny. She graduated from Keuka College in 1932 and attended Courtland Normal School for her teaching credentials. She pursued her teaching career in Huntington, Long Island, where she met her husband, Jacob Schatt.

She was an active community member and president of the Suffolk County Girl Scout Council. In the 1950s she had a nursery school in her home and employed three other teachers. In 1960 she moved to Miami, Fla., where she volunteered at a church-sponsored preschool for African-American children. In 1971 she designed her unique home by renovating the old packing house on East Lake Weir in Florida. She was an avid gardener and cherished the natural beauty and wildlife on the lake. She loved to travel and made friends throughout the world.

She was preceded in death by her son Theodore VanCleve Schatt. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Abbott-Shim of Atlanta, Ga., and her son James Schatt of Ocala, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Meghan Skye, Sherrill Abbott, Christopher Abbott, Emilee Shim O’Neil, Alex Shim, Havens Schatt and Ted Schatt; and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Garrett Schatt.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.