Dr. Grace Jaffe, 99, a “Renaissance woman” and a sociology professor at Barat College in Lake Forest for 23 years, died Friday in the Wagner Health Care Center in Evanston. A native of England, Dr. Jaffe was one of the first women to graduate from Oxford University, where she awarded her degree in 1919. After receiving her doctorate at the University of Paris, she moved to Evanston with her husband. She was active in the civil rights movement. A daughter, Ghita Hardimon Woloshin, said her mother “dabbled” in painting, wrote numerous articles about identical twins, published her autobiography, debated philosophy and tutored college students in French. In her 80s, she developed a passion for billiards, beating many an opponent at The Georgian retirement home in Evanston. Besides her daughter, survivors include two sons, David and Peter; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday in the William H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary’s Church, 1421 Oak Ave., Evanston.
