M. Elizabeth Santos

M. Elizabeth (Scheffey) Santos, 81, of Pottstown, PA, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at EverTrue Lutheran Home at Topton. She was the wife of the late Antonio M. Santos, with whom she shared 30 years of marriage until his passing in 2000. Born in Pottstown, PA, on May 19, 1943, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Richard H. Scheffey and Lena A. (Appel) Scheffey. Elizabeth was a lifelong learner, educator, writer, and entrepreneur whose journey took her across the world. She graduated from Pottstown High School before earning a degree in Spanish from Winthrop College in South Carolina. Her passion for language and culture led her to further studies at Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and the Linguistics Institute at the University of Illinois. She later dedicated two years to the Peace Corps, serving in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, where she lived and worked on an urban slum community development project. Her love for Brazil brought her back to teach English at the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro and a prominent language school, where she met her husband. Together, they continued their teaching careers at the Berlitz School of Languages in New York City. Elizabeth later became a Spanish teacher at Phoenixville High School and also taught English to Asian refugees in Pottstown's elementary and secondary schools. She was active in the Pine Forge Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the Pine Forge Historical Society, and the academy elementary school, where she shared her love for Spanish and poetry with young students. In 1979, Elizabeth and her husband embarked on a new venture, founding Magic Sleeper-a mattress manufacturing and retail business in Pottstown. Later in life, she turned to poetry, drawing inspiration from the works of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. She published her poetry online, forming friendships with poets worldwide, whom she often welcomed into her home. She self-published several volumes of poetry, including works highlighting the Oley Valley's rich history, while also weaving in imagery from her favorite places-Brazil, the Oley Valley, the rolling hills of Chester County, and Cape Cod. Her appreciation for the beauty of Berks County sparked a deep interest in history, leading her to extensive research on the early iron industry of southeastern Pennsylvania. She also conducted genealogical research for historians, family, and friends. Additionally, she collaborated with a Swedish composer, writing lyrics that were featured on two released albums. Despite her many accomplishments, Elizabeth considered her greatest achievement to be raising four wonderful children and being a devoted grandmother to eight. She is lovingly remembered by her children, John Santos of Norristown, PA, Robert (Jennifer) Santos of St. Charles, IL, Marco (Danielle) Santos, of Alburtis, PA, and Christina (Anthony) Rubino of Fleetwood, PA. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her brother, John (Mary Ellen) Scheffey of Blue Bell, PA; and her sister-in-law, Virginia Scheffey of West Chester, PA. In addition to her husband and parents, Elizabeth was predeceased by her siblings, Richard Scheffey, Margaret Breagy, and William Scheffey. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Houck & Gofus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 955 N. Charlotte St., Pottstown, PA 19464. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will take place afterward at Saint Aloysius New Cemetery, 800 block of Buchert Road, Pottstown, PA 19464. A webcast of Elizabeth's service will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. Please visit https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MzM1MjM0MTM1NjI1NiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== to view the webcast. If you have any questions, please call (610) 323-8220. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elizabeth's memory to Pine Forge Academy (please designate "Scholarship Fund") and mail to: 361 Pine Forge Rd., Pine Forge, PA 19548.