Obituary of Maureen Pfeffer

Maureen Frances Pfeffer was born in Camrose on September 26, 1935 to Francis and Geneva Kehoe, the first of seven children with three sisters and three brothers to follow. She started school in Vegreville and then attended New Salem School in the Camrose district until Grade 9. Maureen cleaned New Salem school while she was a student there, starting work at a young age, and making a whopping fifteen dollars for the year. After Grade 9, she moved to Camrose to complete high school at Camrose High. Upon graduating she worked at Marshall Wells Hardware Store. She also worked for A.G.T., and later in life at the Killam Co-op and at the Killam Hospital. In 1964, Maureen married Darrel Pfeffer and moved out to the farm in Strome, becoming a farm girl again. Together they had six children. The first, Steven, died as an infant. Next came Mark, then Brian, Nancy, Janet, and John. Once the children started coming, Maureen stayed home with the kids. She became a wonderful homemaker. She made clothes, Halloween costumes, afghans, toques, and beautiful cakes. Maureen always made homemade cookies, bread and rubber aprons. Maureen and "Auntie" made dozens of donuts to treat their children. Maureen was very thrifty and was able to stretch a dollar better than anyone. She would darn socks, pick berries, grow a huge garden, and preserve pickles, relishes, jams, jellies, and even meat. She joined St. Peter's CWL in 1964. She was honored with her 45 year pin in 2010 and continued to be an active member until her passing. Maureen's other volunteer work included babysitting, catechism teaching, and working with the Girl Guides organization. She was also willing to drive children and grandchildren to sports practices and games. Maureen mended clothes for many people around the area. Maureen was very crafty. She made beautiful handmade cards to send to family and friends. She was an exceptional quilter that had a keen eye for color and design. She could take any scrap of fabric and turn it into a masterpiece. The quilts she made will be family heirlooms to treasure. Other interests included watching baseball games, curling, and horse jumping. She also enjoyed travelling when she could get away. Some trips over the years included driving to Alaska, annual fishing trips to Wolf Lake, a millennium trip to Nebraska with her sisters, trips to the mountains, and a more recent trip to Nova Scotia and P.E.I. with her daughters for her 75 birthday. A great treasure for Maureen was all her grandchildren. She taught them so many of her prized skills including cooking, baking, needlepoint, knitting, sewing, and crocheting. She attended their sporting and school events and always enjoyed talking to them about their life's adventures. Treasures made by Grandma for the grandchildren included I Spy quilts, pillowcases, aprons, toques, camp ponchos, mittens, scarves, and pajamas. Over the past few weeks, as people visited Maureen, the family heard people say she was "The Best!" She was the best mom, the best grandma, the best sister, the best aunt, the best cousin, the best Godmother, the best friend, and the best Mother-in- law! Maureen is survived by her three sons and two daughters, Mark (Tina) Pfeffer, Brian (Laura) Pfeffer, Nancy (Dale) Mizera, Janet (Derek) Banman and John (Leann) Pfeffer; seventeen grandchildren; three sisters, Vodie Marysiuk, Ann Winter, Cathy (Bill) Brandt; three brothers, Jim (Fran) Kehoe, John (Marilyn) Kehoe, Dennis (Audrey) Kehoe; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. She was predeceased by her husband Darrel Pfeffer; her parents, Francis and Geneva Kehoe; one son, Steven Pfeffer; four brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. A prayer service will be held at Fee & Sons Funeral Home on Monday, September 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Fr. Leon Kler officiating. Memorial donations in memory of Maureen may be made to the St. Peter's Cemetery Fund, the Alberta Cancer Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.