Asleep in Jesus, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, Betty passed away suddenly at home.
Born January 20, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Elizabeth Pfaff. Beloved cousin of Mary (Frank) Mahon, Martha (John) Brown, Molly (Ken) Burman, Bill (Lucy) Schmidt, Mimi (Mark) Harris, Lucy (David) Klostermann, the late Kathleen (John) Keegan, Joan (Edward) Baraba, Christine (Robert) Blattel, Keith (Pat) Kirchmer, Mark (Christina) Kirchmer.
Betty graduated Notre Dame High School (1956) and then from Maryville College in (1960) with a BA in Theater & Art. During college, Betty was involved in basketball, volleyball, and field hockey, as well as theater, the science club and the W.R.A. (a recreational club). In 1964, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from St. Louis University. Betty was the first recipient of Maryville’s School of Education Dean’s Award in 2005.
Betty started her professional career teaching at University City High School and then moved to the Parkway School District for a span of 18 years. While at Parkway, Betty was Chair of the Speech and Drama Department, manager of the Parkway District Theatre program and named Missouri Teacher of the Year (1972). She also taught speech at University of Missouri-St. Louis, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, St. Louis University and Missouri Government Workers’ Union.
Betty served in various board positions at Maryville University and was very involved with Greater St. Louis Speech and Drama Board, National Secondary School Theatre Association as a board member, Greater St. Louis Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (15 years), Educational Theatre Association, and American Alliance for Theatre and Education (3 years). She served as the State Director of the International Thespian Society (5 years) and was a member of United States Institute of Theatre and Technology and the National Education Association.
Betty volunteered with the Friends of the Zoo, including as a Zoo Parent, and also with the Missouri Historical Society, National Preservation Society, St. Louis Science Center, as well as the Museum of Transportation.
She was a woman of diverse interests which included water color paintings, swimming/sailing, and doll house designer/builder. She had a very successful antique business which included toy collectibles, furniture, baseball cards, model trains, radio programs from the 1930s-1950s and more. Upon retirement, Betty took up bowling with the goal of entering and winning the Senior Olympics.
God inspired Betty to plant seeds of giving, caring and sharing and she did her part to give witness to that way of life. Betty had a deep love for the School Sisters of Notre Dame and believed in their mission with such passion. Whenever she saw a need, she was there to generously assist.
Betty will be missed by all of us.
Services: Memorial service will be held at 10:00am in the Chapel of Calvary Cemetery, 5239 W. Florissant Ave. on Saturday, September 17, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty’s name to: School Sisters of Notre Dame, Resource Development, 320 E. Ripa Ave., St. Louis, MO 63125. A KUTIS AFFTON service.