Obituary of Nina Liff

LIFF, Nina FranklinAge 82 of Santa Barbara, CA died September 9, 2011. Nina was born July 18, 1929, in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Eva Kopald Franklin and John Franklin. Nina grew up in Highland Falls, NY and graduated from Indiana University where she met her former husband, Noah Liff, who predeceased her. Additionally, Nina was also predeceased by her life companion, John Franklin Todd; her brother Sanford Franklin; and her step father, Phillip Berkell. She lived in Nashville from 1950 until 1978 where she raised her children, Jan Abby Liff, Daniel John Liff and Adam Joseph Liff, who survive her. Nina attended the University of Tennessee School of Social Work and earned her Master's Degree in 1976 and served as a psychiatric social worker for over 25 years first at the Dede Wallace Mental Health Center in Nashville and then for Senior Peer Counseling of Santa Barbara. Nina moved to Santa Barbara in 1978 and resided there until her death. In addition to her work as a social worker, Nina served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Symphony and the Music Academy of the West. She was a member of Congregation B'Nai Brith of Santa Barbara. She was an accomplished classical pianist, an aficionado and supporter of classical music, a world traveler and she loved to swim in pools and oceans. Additional survivors include her grandchildren, Emily Rachel Liff of Denver, CO, Natalie Marshall Liff and Jonathan Newman Liff and their Mother Suzy Newman of Nashville; and numerous dear friends in Nashville and Santa Barbara including her very special friend Mrs. Sarah Crutcher of Nashville. Nina is also survived by and was loved by Frank Todd's children Armour and Candy and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Per Nina's request, her body will be cremated and her remains disbursed into the Pacific Ocean off of Santa Barbara. Memorial services will be held in Santa Barbara at a later date and minyans will be conducted in Nashville at the home of her daughter, Jan Liff, early next week. The family requests that contributions in Nina's honor and memory be made to The Santa Barbara Symphony, 1330 State Street, Suite 102, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, The Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108 or Jewish Family Services of Santa Barbara, 524 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.