Miriam Schaefer

miriam  schaefer

April 24, 1944 ~ September 6, 2022

Born in: Cambridge, Ohio
Resided in: Grayson, Georgia

Miriam Schaefer, 78, of Grayson Georgia, passed away suddenly on Tuesday September 6, 2022. She was born April 24, 1944, in Cambridge, Ohio to Ralph and Mary Rose Hohman, both of whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death are her two sisters Francis Hohman and Charlyne Abel, and her brother-in-law Donald Abel.

Miriam met the love of her life, George Schaefer, during her college years at the University of Dayton. She was a preschool teacher in Dayton, Ohio until the birth of her first child, Sherri. After having two more children, Bob and Richard, the family moved back to Cambridge where the youngest child, Thomas, was born. The family became active parishioners at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, where Miriam had graduated from elementary and high schools. She was a Lector at Mass. She was active in the Women’s Club, Bazaar Ladies, Cursillo, Bingo Committee and Lay Director of the first women’s Christ Renews His Parish program at St. Benedict’s. She went back to work as a preschool teacher and eventually as a director at a local day care center. Miriam made many lifelong friends in Cambridge.

George, Miriam and Thomas relocated to Georgia in 1992 due to George’s employment. Miriam and George became active and longtime parishioners of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Miriam also became a pre-K teacher at St. Lawrence preschool for 7 years before she retired. She was a member of the Welcoming Committee, the Lazarus Ministry, Ladies of St. Lawrence, Cursillo, the SCC Group and the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM). She participated in Alpha and was a past Lector and Eucharist Minister. She started her pet project, the Shawl Ministry, where she and others would make prayer shawls for people in crisis along with blankets, hats and scarves for those in need. One of her proudest moments was being named “St. Lawrence Woman of the Year” in 2020.

Some of the family’s fondest memories are of Mom “passing” dinner rolls to the wrong person, signaling the end of meals with her sneezes, baking terrific desserts and knowing, when you came home, you would always be well fed and have food to take home with you when you left. She loved to read for herself and to her children and grandchildren. She would sew clothes for her children and grandchildren as they were growing up as well as clothes for dolls, her cement goose and Halloween costumes. She was an avid supporter of her children and grandchildren in all their activities and sports.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, George, and her four children, Sherri (Joe) Deighton, Bob Schaefer, Richard (Tisa) Schaefer and Thomas (Kristy) Schaefer and her five grandchildren, Tim and Jacob Deighton, Andrew and Kimberly Schaefer and Samuel Schaefer. She will be sadly missed by many more family, friends and neighbors.

Family will receive friends and visitors Thursday September 22nd from 5-7pm at Wages & Sons, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville GA. A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday September 23rd at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 319 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Knights of Columbus Ukraine Solidarity Fund (kofc.org/Ukraine) or the American Cancer Society (donate3.cancer.org) in Miriam’s memory.

Services

Visitation: September 22, 2022 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

770-277-4550

Memorial Mass: September 23, 2022 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

St Lawrence Catholic Church
319 Grayson Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

770-963-8992
www.saintlaw.org/

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. CandleImageMy condolences dear Schaefer family. I remember Miriam coming to Walsh College to visit her oldest child Sherri and middle child, Rich. I loved her dry sense of humor and wit. Now, I’m sure heaven will too.

  2. CandleImageShe not only loves her family she made you family as soon as she met you!! It was my pleasure to have been a part of that extended love ????
    Many prayers Schaefer family ????❤️

  3. CandleImageMiriam was a beautiful lady with a beautiful heart and smile! She lit up the the room with her smile! She loved her family very much and she loved her Lord and Saviour and served Him well! She will be truly Blessed with her Father in Heaven! Rest with the Lord Miriam! ♥️????????

  4. My deepest condolences to George and to all the Schaefer family. Met Miriam when my husband & I went to a welcome dinner for new parishioners given by the Welcome Committee at St. Lawrence. She was part of that group & welcomed us. We ended up joining the Welcome committee before we left that evening. Her friendly smile draws you to her and her kindness was so out pouring. Miriam also invited me to join the shawl ministry & what a great leader she was! I will truly miss her, that sweet smile, her compassion and her generosity.

  5. Dear George and family ,
    May God comfort you as you grieve Miriam’s death. I witnessed the beginnings of their 57 year love story, in early Autumn 1973, when George introduced me to Miriam, at her off campus house at U of Dayton. Miriam’s easy acceptance of people as they were and her infectious laugh drew people in. Sadly the love story ended Sept. 6, 2022. Miriam’s life made the world a more loving place. Through the ripple effect, her legacy will continue ! May she Rest In Peace ,
    Your cousin ,

  6. Dear George and Family,
    May your Faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ comfort you as you grieve Miriam’s unexpected death Sept. 6.
    In Aug. 1963, George introduced me to Miriam at the off campus house she shared with other women at U of Dayton. Her warmth and infectious laugh drew people to her. I witnessed the beginning of their love story which ended as the result of traffic accident.
    Miriam’s love and laughter made the world a better place for all ages of people and the ripple effect will affect many more.
    May you Rest In Peace, Miriam!

  7. CandleImageMy Deepest Sympathy to George and family. I truly don’t have the words to express how much my heart hurts for my dear friend, George and their entire family. I am blessed to have been given the gift of their friendship as extended family at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church. I will treasure the prayer shawl I received through the ministry that Miriam made. Our entire Church Family will feel the tremendous loss of this precious woman and the generosity she gave so much to. May the Angels lead you into Paradise!


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