Obituary for
Mary Catherine Schaeffner (Foss)
Mary Catherine Schaeffner died peacefully on April 15 surrounded by her family.
Mary is the mother of Margaret (Meg) Reilly of Ridgefield, CT and Ronald Schaeffner of Purchase, NY. She was greatly loved by her grandchildren Meaghan and Matt Reilly, Danielle Schaeffner, Kaitlin Schaeffner Wright and great- granddaughter Kaia Wright.
Mary moved to Ridgefield, CT in 2011 after residing in Purchase for more than fifty years. She was born in Oswego, IL the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Gorman) Foss and grew up in Chicago before moving to Louisville, KY as a teenager.
Mary met her future husband Bill (who predeceased her in 1994) on a blind date while he was stationed at Fort Knox during WW2. They were married in November,1944. Mary and Bill moved to La Grange, Illinois because of a General Foods Company transfer. While there Mary actively volunteered at St Francis School as well as the local hospital. Upon returning to New York Mary remained involved by giving countless hours to the White Plains Women’s Club, St Anthony’s parish, and working at the White Plains Board of Education. Mary was a founding member of the St Anthony’s choir and sang each Sunday well into her eighties.
The family would like to give special thanks to all the caregivers in the Ridgefield area who cared for their mother with compassion, respect and love. They will be forever grateful.
A private burial was held on April 19 at St John’s Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, NY. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday May 6 at 10 am at St Anthony of Padua Church in West Harrison.
