SCHAEFER, Betty Marie Schaefer

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing on Saturday, September 6, 2025, of Betty Marie Schaefer (née Thompson), cherished mother, grandmother, and sister, at the age of 96.  Born on August 16, 1929, in Kitchener, Ontario, Betty was the daughter of Charles E. (a WW1 veteran) and Louise Thompson (née Uebele).

Betty lived a life defined by devotion to her family, her home, the values of her generation and her German heritage. She expressed her love not through words, but through action. A true homemaker, she found joy in the everyday: tending her vegetable garden, cooking the dreaded Monday lunchtime sauerkraut and boiled pork, baking pies that became family legend, knitting, preserving the harvest of her garden, and sewing clothing for her children.

Betty’s life was deeply intertwined with that of her beloved husband, Clifford Charles Schaefer. Their bond, rooted in love and unwavering devotion, began with an eight-year courtship. On March 6, 1954, they married. Together, they built their home in Bridgeport a place where Betty would live for the rest of her days. Though she was born and raised in the city, Betty embraced small-town life with grace, settling into a close-knit community surrounded by Clifford’s large extended family—most of whom lived just steps away on the same street and were a force to be reckoned with. Her adaptability made her a natural fit in Bridgeport.

In her fifties and after raising her children, Betty played an integral role in her husband’s family trucking business, Ed. Schaefer & Sons Ltd. When Clifford became sole owner, Betty stepped in without hesitation, dispatching trucks, coordinating drivers, and overseeing the finances. She approached her tasks with meticulous care especially the bookkeeping.  She ensured every account was balanced and every bill paid often personally visiting customers to settle overdue accounts. Her quiet tenacity and sharp mind were the backbone of the business behind the scenes.

Betty leaves behind a family who will carry her memory forward: her children Marion (Peter) West, Catherine Gillin, and Mark (Mary Lou) Schaefer; her treasured granddaughter Meredith Gillin (Brody Ball); and her sister, Grace Hartung. She is predeceased by her husband (d. 2005), her parents, her sister Dorothy Anderson, and her son-in-law Mark Gillin.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital for the compassionate care they provided during Betty’s time with them.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Betty’s life at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place following the visitation at Bridgeport Memorial Cemetery, 76 Bloomingdale Rd N, Kitchener, at 2:30 p.m. All are welcome.