Elinor Frey Schaeffer ’50

Elinor Ann (Frey) Schaeffer was born on May 26, 1932 in Jackson Heights, New York to parents Herman Edgar Frey and Irmgard Afflerbach. She died at her home on November 5, 2021 in Plano, Texas. After graduating from Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts, Ellie attended Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts where she met the love of her life, Lew Schaeffer, at a co-ed dance between Simmons University and MIT. They were married on May 31, 1952. Ellie and Lew spent 66 happy years raising three wonderful children. Like her parents, Ellie was the consummate entrepreneur. As a young child she had a paper route and creatively sold pictures she and her sisters painted. While raising her family as a loving mother and wife, she had successful ventures in Sales and Real Estate. Her perseverance and independent spirit has been an inspiration for her children and grandchildren. Ellie was an enthusiastic supporter of nature and wildlife causes. She enjoyed traveling the world, working in various National Parks around the US, playing bridge, and participating in many civics events. Ellie is survived by her son Jeff (Phuong), daughter Cindy (Helen), son Greg (Michele); grandchildren Andrew and Alyssa Schaeffer, Emma, Ellie, Eli and Abigail Schaeffer; and her sisters Sandy Miedema and Judy LaFavor. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edgar Laurence, and her husband, Lew. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:30am on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Allen Family Funeral Options. She will be laid to rest with her husband Lew at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney, Texas 75069 heardmuseum.org

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