Obituary of Myrene G. Pfaff

Mrs. Pfaff was born in Paterson NJ on September 19, 1921, the only child of Paride and Frieda De Pauw Garbaccio. She was a “Jersey Girl” for her entire life until she moved to Maine in 2015 to be closer to family. She attended Warren Point Elementary School and graduated from Paterson’s famed Eastside High School in 1938 where she was recognized for her beauty as Class Venus and her athletic prowess as a member of the Sports Hall of Fame. She graduated from Elmira College in 1942 with a B.A. in Chemistry. She was employed at Curtis Wright Materials Lab in 1942 where she met her husband to be, Joe Pfaff. They were married on February 12, 1944 and were blessed with 56 years of life together. Joe preceded her in death on June 19, 2000. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Ann of South Berwick, ME and son Joseph Paride and wife Dottie of Cutchogue NY. She was beloved as “Nana” to her four grandchildren: Mara DeWitte and husband Guy of Southbridge, MA; Megan Murtha and husband Bob of Eliot, ME, Danielle Lee Pfaff of New York City and Joseph Gregory Pfaff of Jersey City, NJ. Her great granddaughter Mary Grace Murtha of Eliot, ME was her joy. She was called “My” or “Aunt My’ by her scores of close friends, particularly members of the Blaikie family. Myrene was a devout Catholic all her life and served as a Eucharistic Minister at Guardian Angel Church in Allendale, NJ. She was also a member of the Rosary Society, the choir, and was a Religious Education Instructor. As did many women of her generation, she carefully washed and ironed the altar linens for years. She was a Girl Scout Leader of Troop 90. She was an enthusiastic alumna of Elmira College and served as Class of 1942 reporter for close to 50 years. She attended reunions and helped organize fundraisers for the scholarship fund for the Elmira College Club in New Jersey. Myrene played golf until her late 80’s, shooting a hole—in—one at High Mountain Golf Club. She was a skilled bridge player and was a member of 3 bridge clubs until leaving NJ for Maine. She was a fundraiser for the Association for Retarded Citizens, and a secretary at the Feinmann Center, a sheltered workshop for adults with intellectual challenges. Myrene loved fashion, Frank Sinatra, good Italian bread, NCIS, dancing, the Jersey Shore, and New York City. Myrene received excellent care from Home Helpers in Ramsey, NJ before moving to Maine. The entire staff at Sentry Hill at York Harbor (Dickens Unit) and Beacon Hospice has been competent,compassionate and very attentive during her stay. We are very grateful to all of you. Memorial contributions may be directed to Elmira College, 1 Park Place, Elmira NY 14901; ARC of Bergen and Passaic Counties, 223 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601; Tutwiler Clinic, PO Box 462, Tutwiler MS 38963 or the charity of your choice.