Josefa Sophie Pfeiffer

Josefa “Sophie” Pfeiffer, 95, of Toledo, died Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Genacross Lutheran Home of Toledo. Sophie was born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia on September 19, 1922 to Joseph and Maria Moskon. Sophie married Rudolf Pfeiffer in 1947 and together raised their four children. Sophie touched numerous people’s lives in an abundance of ways. She was the second oldest of nine children and learned her maternal ways at an early age. Despite only having received only a fourth grade education, Sophie was fluent in five languages and became a tremendously intelligent and business savvy woman. Prior to immigrating in the United States, she and her husband spent seven years in displaced persons camps throughout in Yugoslavia and surrounding during and after World War II. In 1949, they were sponsored by extended family to come to America. Just two weeks after arriving Sophie gave birth to her daughter, Betty, who was born with cerebral palsy. She and her husband lived at St. Ignatius Church in Oregon, OH where she tended to her daughter while providing housekeeping for the church. Eventually, they settled in East Toledo. A devout Catholic, Sophie was tireless, unselfish and always put others first. A true matriarch who prayed every day and loved every minute. Her compassion, respect, and strong faith made her a survivor and that carried on throughout her life. In addition to caring for her family, Sophie found many ways for others to benefit from her time and talents. For years she was a member of the Holy Rosary Altar Society and Mother’s Guild. At the school’s annual spaghetti dinner, she could be found serving up generous portions and the wait in her take-out line was worth it. She made sure no one ever went hungry. Sophie was always ready to greet another with her smile and wonderful sense of humor. In addition to family, two of Sophie’s greatest loves were cooking and gardening. She enjoyed making traditional European dishes and she could be found daily in her gardens tending to a vast array of vegetables and flowers. During the summer months, Sophie also enjoyed having garage sales. Known for her canning, baking, house plants, jewelry making and greeting cards, her creations were enjoyed by countless individuals over the years. She said her dream ever since she was a child was to come to America and she made the most of it. The Pfeiffer family would like to thank the staff of Genacross Lutheran Home of Toledo for the quality care they provided over the past two years. The physician staff, nurses, aides, and various department staffs all provided her ongoing loving attention. She is survived by her children, Rudy Pfeiffer, Joseph Pfeiffer, Anthony (Amy) Pfeiffer; grandchildren, Jason, Casey (Justin), Joey (Lisa), Andrew, Eric, and Taylor Wagner; great-grandchildren, Justin, Jaycie, Jaylie; and sister, Aimee. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and daughter, Betty Pfeiffer. Friends will be received on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hoeflinger-Shank Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Avenue, Oregon, Ohio 43616 (419-691-6768), where a Rosary Service will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Prayers will take place at the funeral home on Friday, October 13, 2017 beginning at 9:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Epiphany of the Lord – St. Stephen Church Campus, 1880 Genesee Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605. Burial will follow in Willow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Genacross Lutheran Home of Toledo or Epiphany of the Lord – St. Stephen Parish. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.hoeflingerfuneralhome.com.