Walfriede "Wally" Schaefer

Walfriede Schaefer, 86, of Monroe Township passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Born and raised in Hockenheim, Germany, Wally, as she was known to all, came to the United States in 1956 and married her late husband, Philipp, after a long-distance courtship. Together, they lived in Elizabeth and Edison before settling in Monroe Township in 1984. Wally was a homemaker until her youngest was a teen, she then reentered the workforce, first as a babysitter at Edison Lanes and later at her bookkeeping career for B&M Lumber of Edison, Harry M. Stevens of Monroe Township and, then from her home, for Triarco of Middletown, finally retiring at 73 to spend time with and care for her grandchildren.

Wally was a long time communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church of Spotswood where she was a member of the choir which she dearly loved. She was also a Member of the Immaculate Columbiettes where she supported the annual Lenten fish fries. She was a member of the Spotswood Senior Center where she enjoyed exercising and participating with the Stitch in Time knitting circle. She enjoyed hosting holidays, was well known for her baking and especially enjoyed travelling with her long-time friend.

Predeceased by her husband Philipp in 2019 and her brother Gunter Roth, she is survived by her sister, Rita Kramer and husband, Joachim, and their children.  She is also survived by her children, Michael Schaefer and his wife Mary, of Edison, Bianca Vicari and her husband Anthony, of California and, Angela Cleaver and her husband Matthew, of East Brunswick, and; her grandchildren, Ellen Schaefer and her husband, Eric Mancini, Philipp John Schaefer and his fiancée Lisa Santeramo, Rebecca Cleaver and her significant other, Christopher Perez, Matthew Cleaver and his wife, Tara, and her youngest granddaughter, Alyssa Cleaver, as well as numerous relatives in Germany. The family wishes to acknowledge and give thanks to Wally's caregiver for the last few years, Magda Polakova, whom she loved as another daughter.

Funeral services are under the direction of Spotswood Funeral Home. Services will begin with a Mass of Christian Burial from Immaculate Conception Church, Spotswood, on Wednesday, September 14th at 10:30 AM followed by an inurnment service at Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick.

Donations honoring Wally's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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