Dorothy Lydia (Schraag) Pfeiffer

Dorothy Lydia Pfeiffer, 89, of Catonsville, MD and previously Oak Lawn, IL peacefully passed away on March 29, 2021 of natural causes.

Dorothy was born on August 11, 1931 to Frank and Gertrude (Stienz) Schraag.  She had a happy childhood in Chicago and graduated with honors from Harper High School.

Dorothy met John R. Pfeiffer while attending the same church, but they did not marry until May 9, 1953 after his return from the Korean War.  They lived in a little Chicago apartment until they bought a home in Oak Lawn, IL where they would remain until June of 2014.  During those years they fostered 3 boys and raised three children.  Nancy, who preceded her in death in 1966, Laura (Dan) Bochmann and Robert (Kelly) Pfeiffer.  She watched their grandchildren Kari (Jason) Raczniak, Duane (Kimberly) Bochmann, Krystine Ford (Mickey Walton), Dylan Pfeiffer, Ryan Pfeiffer, Walter Wood and Sydney Pfeiffer grow into adults imparting her wisdom and kindness to each of them.  They were also blessed with 7 great grandchildren, Aiden, Brayden, Baylee, Brinley, Brody, Logan and Ellie.    John preceded her in death June 22, 2017.

She was an active member of The Immanuel United Church of Christ in Evergreen Park Illinois.  She loved her friends in her church community and enjoyed participating in various events over the years.  A few favorites were her Woman’s Circle, the Ocktoberfest and the rummage sale!

Dorothy was also an active member in The Leukemia Research Foundation since 1966.  First with the Paulius-Cornwall Chapter and then with the Lipinski-Callahan-Daly Chapter. She participated in multiple fundraisers and was, for 40 years, the chapter Christmas Card Chairman.  She was well known for raising thousands of dollars through her own garage sales.  People donated items from all over the suburbs.

Dorothy was lovingly referred to as Mary Sunshine.  It reflected who she was inside and out.  The kindness she showed to everyone and everything was never a false reflection.  (Also, when she came to visit, sure enough the weather was always great!)  She also loved reading, one of her favorites authors was Jan Karon.  Her garden was always beautiful, and we inherited that appreciation from her.  She loved to travel and marveled at the wonders she would see, from traveling through the US to places like Iceland, Europe and most recently winters in Puerto Rico.  She loved THE BEARS and even went to spring training.  She loved her wonderful lifelong friends, the theater, but most of all her family.  Always her family.

A memorial service will be held in Evergreen Park, IL over the summer 2021.  Information will be made available closer to the date.