Obituary of Nancy R. Schaefer

Nancy Ruth Schaefer passed away on December 2, 2020 at the age of 87. She was surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind her husband Edwin Schaefer and her three children, Karl Schaefer, married to Bonnie Schaefer of Deland, Fl, David Schaefer married to Brenda Schaefer of Glastonbury, and Dawn Schaefer Lepore, married to Fernando Lepore of Stoneham, MA. She also leaves behind her three grandchildren, Samuel McKinney Schaefer, Jacqueline Kimberly Schaefer, and Luca Antonio Lepore. Nancy was born on June 2, 1933 to Charlotte and Keith Dickerson in Cleveland, Ohio during the Great Depression.Her grandmother – Sabina Masky helped raise her. Nancy grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from West Technical High School in 1951. She later went on to attend college at Kent State University in Ohio, where she met her soon to be husband while playing tennis. After they married, Nancy worked as a transcriber for the US Government at the Abeerdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Later they moved to Merritt Island, Florida where they started to raise their family while her husband worked at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). They moved to Glastonbury, Connecticut in 1969 and this truly was her home for the last 50 years. If you asked Nancy what she loved most she would have said “raising her children”. Her legacy will live on through her children as they were everything to her. At the age of eighteen, Nancy had wanted to learn how to fly an airplane. She later took pilot lessons on a biplane. Her love for flying led her to sign up her two sons for flying lessons when they were sixteen years old. Both sons continued with her passion for flying and became pilots, Karl Schaefer is a commercial pilot and Captain for American Airlines and David Schaefer became a pilot and owned his own airplane. In addition, Nancy was a Cub Scout leader and Sunday School teacher and was always supporting her children’s activities. Nancy loved spending time with her daughter, Dawn and just enjoying each other’s company. Nancy was an avid reader and frequented the Welles-Turner Memorial Library in Glastonbury where she loved to check out mystery novels. In her earlier days, she sewed beautiful clothes, and was seen sporting them at the NASA parties in the 1960’s. She was best known for her elegance, her class, and her kindness. Everyone that met her always said she was so nice and caring. Nancy fought a courageous battle over the last several years struggling with Dementia. She was a fighter to the end with every breath she took. The family would like to thank Companions and Homemakers of Glastonbury and the caregivers that supported her and in particular, Ms. Marion Dixon who sat by Nancy’s side and took care of her during her life’s final journey. The angels have led Nancy Ruth Schaefer to eternal rest. May she forever be in our hearts and memories. We will miss you dearly mommy. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Welles-Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main Street, Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033 in her memory. The wake will be held on Wednesday Dec. 9 at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury from 12:00 to 1:00pm. Memorial service will be private. For online condolenses please visit www.mulryanfh.com.