Jocelyne Eugene Pfeffer

Jocelyne Eugenie Pfeffer was born on April 27, 1938, in Metz, France, to Louis and Berthe (Beyer) Mohaupt. She developed a passion for swimming during her teenage years and excelled in competitive swimming, ultimately being selected to represent team Lorraine. As one of ten children, she grew up with five brothers and four sisters, which fostered a lifelong appreciation for family, conversation, and connection. 

At the age of sixteen, in the years following World War II when life in France was difficult, Jocelyne bravely crossed the Atlantic aboard the Queen Mary to begin a new chapter in the United States. She settled in New York City with her sister and brother-in-law, where she worked on Wall Street and embraced the energy of the city. She loved to dance and could often be found out on the dance floors of New York, a reflection of her joyful spirit and love of life.

Jocelyne later embarked on another adventure, driving Route 66 as she relocated to California. There, she worked briefly in insurance and then for North American Rockwell, where she even contributed to early work connected to the future Space Shuttle program—a point of quiet pride in her remarkable life.

In Long Beach, California, Jocelyne met the love of her life, Klaus Pfeffer. Together, they built a life centered on hard work, faith, and family. In 1981, they moved to Fallbrook, California, where Jocelyne helped support Klaus in opening Autoheim Auto Repair. Fallbrook became her true home, the place where she would spend the rest of her life.

A devoted wife and mother, Jocelyne was deeply involved in her children’s lives. Both of her children attended Fallbrook Unified Schools, and she was a familiar face at school and sporting events. She enthusiastically attended her son’s football games—often cheering with great spirit, even if it was sometimes for the wrong team, much to everyone’s amusement.

Jocelyne was an active and faithful member of St. Peter’s the Apostle Catholic Parish. She found great joy in her community, especially playing bingo, bowling at Camp Pendleton, and spending time with friends. She had a natural gift for conversation and truly never met a stranger. Children were especially drawn to her warmth and kindness.

Jocelyne expressed her love through food, enjoying escargot and traditional German cuisine. She also loved to travel, journeying to South America, Australia, New Zealand, and making many trips throughout Europe to visit her large and beloved family.

Above all else, Jocelyne’s greatest joy was spending time with her family—talking, laughing, and sharing meals together. Her home was always a place of welcome, warmth, and love.

Jocelyne is survived by her husband, Klaus Pfeffer; her children and their spouses, Walter and Elizabeth Pfeffer of Austin, Texas, and Klaus and Donna Pfeffer of Austin, Texas; her seven grandchildren, Kyle, Saqoia, Hailey, Kobe, Emma, Wilhelm, and Werner; and her three great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Ellie, and Ilah.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at St. Peter’s the Apostle Catholic Parish in Fallbrook, California. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Jocelyne Eugenie Pfeffer be made to St. Peter’s the Apostle Catholic Parish.