Carol Jean Pfeifer

Carol Jean Pfeifer, 85, of Sylvania Township, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on February 22, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 11, 1939, in Tecumseh, Michigan to John and Jean (Ellcey) Abner.

She married Robert James Pfeifer on November 8, 1958, and together they raised two children, creating a warm and welcoming home where everyone felt accepted. Their door was always open, making their house a beloved gathering place filled with love and laughter.

A lifelong learner, she earned multiple degrees, including an Associate in Arts from Lourdes College in 1979 and a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology from Bowling Green State University in 1981. Her love of learning went beyond the classroom, spanning gemstones, politics, astrology, and spirituality, always eager to explore new ideas and deepen her understanding. Caring for others was her true calling—whether through her devotion to family and friends, her work at the Sylvania Senior Center, teaching at Lourdes, or supporting her favorite charities.

As the matriarch of her family, Carol found her greatest joy in being with loved ones, sharing stories, offering wisdom, and doting on her animals. She also enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: a cigarette, Coca-Cola, chocolate, and a bowl of popcorn were always within reach.

She was a force of nature, with a wicked sense of humor that brought laughter to any situation and a rare gift for making people feel seen, heard, and valued. Carol was truly one of a kind—a beautiful soul inside and out, whose legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched.

Carol is survived by her children, Kimberly (Chris) Smith, and Rebecca Pfeifer (Mike Martin); her grandchildren, Eric (Sabrina), Bradley, Kirsten (Sam), Hilary, and Daniel; her sisters, Peggy Clark, Ellen (Ron) Harrington, and Betty (Bob) Kendall. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; brother-in-law Richard Clark; and dear friend Judi Paulson Mitchell. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, sister, Citi (grandmother), and friend, and her memory will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Carol’s friend, Sandie Zapiecki, for her kindness, companionship, and the invaluable care she provided while living with her over the past year.

Family and friends are invited to visit Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH, on March 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., where a service and a time for sharing memories will take place at 7:30 p.m. The family invites you to join them for the service, send flowers, or, if you prefer, make a donation to the Toledo Humane Society or the Huntington's Disease Society of America. A private interment will take place at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield, Michigan at a later date.