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Frances Schaefer Obituary
Phoenix - Frances Schaefer, 91, passed away happily, quietly, as she had lived her life, on December 3, 2018, of nothing more than old age, in Gardiner Home Hospice.
Fran grew up in Muskegon near Lake Michigan. She was an accomplished ice skater and swimmer. Her father was French Canadian. She graduated from St. Mary of the Woods College with a chemistry degree at a time when there was no work for women in that field. She believed in miracles. A lifelong Catholic, she was drawn to the mystic saints. She worked on civil rights in the 1940's, running a settlement house in Washington D.C., organizing a soup kitchen, picketing the segregated theaters and cafes.
She worked as a social worker for the state of Arizona for over 25 years. After she retired, she volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul, Andre House, and as a hugger at the Phoenix Children's Hospital for many years, and belonged to the Legion of Mary and Third Order.
She is preceded in death by her lifelong husband Bill Schaefer, her son Edward Schaefer, her parents Frank and Bea Groleau, and her sisters Barbara and Shirley. Eight of her children survive her:
Cathy, Mark, Billy, Michael, and Brendan Schaefer, Bea Graves, Libby Goff, and Mea Brink, and many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
A memorial mass for Fran will be held Thursday December 6, 2018 at 9:30 am at St. Francis Church, 4715 N Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ (St. Ignatius Chapel).
Reception following the memorial mass at the home of Libby and Ed Goff, 4718 N 33rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Legion of Mary will hold a rosary for her.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Schaefer
3 Entries
David Kamnsky
December 7, 2018
My prayers and condolences to the family. I worked with Fran for several years in DES, until I moved to Yavapai County. She was a truly dedicated and compassionate worker. May she rest in peace, and may her family find comfort from the Lord and from all who knew Fran and held her in great esteem. A Mass will be said for her intention at St. Frances Cabrini parish in Camp Verde.
Dean
December 5, 2018
I would like to express my condolences to the family for your loss. May the God who comforts those that mourn sustain you during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
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