Constance Rose Pfiffer

In Loving Memory

Constance “Connie” Rose Pfiffer

April 28, 1935 – August 27, 2024

 A Mom who loved being a mother

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Connie Rose Pfiffer, who died peacefully on August 27 at her home in Gainesville FL., surrounded by her family.

Connie loved being a mom. Good thing because she and her husband, Richard Pfiffer, raised eight kids. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation didn’t stop with her own family. She did the same with her 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Family was Connie’s greatest joy and purpose in life. She raised her family with plenty of patience, boundless love and a great sense of humor. She had a deep and genuine love for all children and was always ready with a hug, a smile and kind words for any child who needed it.

Connie was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Florence and George Earl Fives, sister Dolores Osgood, brother Jack Fives, son-in-law Larry Roe (Sherry) and son Michael Pfiffer (Vickie). Her surviving children are: Jim Pfiffer (Shelley), Sherry Roe, Julie Michell (Bobby), Steve Pfiffer (Rick), Missy DeRochemont, Patricia Boice (Curt) and Jennifer Stano (Richy)

Connie was born on April 28, 1935, in rural Honesdale, PA. She and Richard married on Feb. 5, 1955, two years after she graduated from the former Southside High School in Elmira in 1953.

Richard met Connie on a double date and was so smitten with her that, that night, he told his friend “I’m going to marry her.”

Connie and Richard raised their family by filling their homes with laughter, togetherness and often plenty of noise and commotion. That’s exactly how Connie wanted it.

With a growing family, they needed many homes, so the family often moved to bigger homes, closer to schools in Elmira, Horseheads, Schenectady, Ormond Beach, FL. and Blue Ridge, GA. before settling in Gainesville, FL.

Connie’s love of children steered her to a job as a nurse’s assistant in labor at a private maternity ward owned by two doctors in Schenectady NY. She worked as a secretary and executive assistant for several companies before becoming president of Mid-State Steel, in Gainesville, FL., a steel-fabricating company.

She stopped working to become a full-time mom, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Spare time was a luxury for Connie, but when she found some, she enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, quilting, playing cards with friends and creating ceramic vases, figurines and candy dishes that decorated her home.

She enjoyed flower gardening and canning fresh fruits and vegetables to nourish her family’s large appetites.

With eight children she had to be an expert multi-tasker juggling meals, changing diapers, house cleaning, cooking, providing first-aid, handing out discipline, grocery shopping, back-to-school shopping, attending school events and doing tons of laundry. Yet, she always found time to listen, to encourage and to make her family feel special and loved and taught her family how to share its love.

One of Connie’s greatest attributes was her unselfish willingness to put others first, root for the underdog and freely give her time, energy and heart.

Connie was a religious and spiritual woman, who believed in God and prayed for the guidance, endurance and patience to raise eight rambunctious kids.

Her spirit lives on in the lessons she taught us, in the love we share, and in the children, she cherished so deeply.

Though her physical presence may be gone, Connie leaves behind a legacy of devotion, affection and love that will continue to grow through the lives of her family and the many people she impacted.

Though our hearts ache with the loss of Connie’s physical presence, we find solace in knowing that her love and dedication is still with us and will continue to guide us.

Connie has left us with a rich tapestry of memories, woven with silk threads of laughter, wisdom, and unwavering love. Her spirit lives on in the lessons she taught us, in the love she shared and in all the children she cherished so deeply.

The best way to honor Connie is to remember the good times with her, to respect family, nurture children and share the love, laughter and sheer joy for life that is Connie Rose Pfiffer.

A private family service will be held to honor and commemorate Connie’s life.