Frances Mary Scharer

Frances Mary Scharer

Frances Mary Scharer, nee Duerr, 90, of Palmyra, Virginia, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Albert and Isabel Britton Duerr.

Mrs. Scharer spent most of her life in Morris County, New Jersey. In 1939, she married Richard Patrick Scharer, the love of her life. They enjoyed 60 years together before his death. In 1975, they moved to Palmyra, Virginia.

Mrs. Scharer was a devoted homemaker. Her family fondly remembers her exceptional cooking skills and the beautiful cakes she baked for every celebration. As an accomplished seamstress she crafted everything from prom gowns to creative costumes. She was a self-trained artist, and her lovely paintings are treasured by family and friends. She was a most devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. For several years she served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout troop leader and member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Volunteer Fire Department in Ironia, New Jersey.

Mrs. Scharer was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Isabel Duerr; her husband, Richard Patrick Scharer; a brother, Albert Duerr; a sister, Isabel Vescio; a son, Richard Patrick Scharer Jr.; infant daughters, Frances Mary and Frances Joan Scharer; son in-law, Robert Dilling; infant great-granddaughter, Elaina Grace Scharer.

Surviving Mrs. Scharer are two sons, Edward Scharer of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Al Scharer of Lyons, Colorado; three daughters, Christina Dilling of Long Valley, New Jersey, Kathleen Scharer of Columbia, South Carolina, and Linda Ruffner of Palmyra, Virginia. She also leaves 13 grandchildren, Greg Scharer, Emily Armpriester, Robert Dilling Jr., Jeff Dilling, Lainie Keller, Keith Scharer, Paul Scharer, Savannah Scharer, Vanessa O'Betz, Elizabeth Rademacher, Matthew Davis, Jordan Ruffner, Karyn Swift; and 14 great- grandchildren, Nicholas, Max, Eden, Raina, Allison, Rachel, Liese, Laila, Rebecca, William, Ivy, Wyatt, Emma, Ethan; very devoted friends Mike Davis, Debbie Kavanaugh, and Thelma Washington.

Private interment will be held The First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna in New Jersey.

In recognition of the care provided, memorials may be sent either to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 164, Palmyra, VA 22963.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.