Mary Kiefer

Mary Schiavi Kiefer of Dallas, Texas passed away on September 17, 2013. She was born in Hornell, New York on May 14, 1932 to Lucy Malvina and Dominick Schiavi who predeceased her. Our beloved Mother and Grandmother was a widow and is survived by her sister Lucy Orologio of New York and her two children, Dr. Michael Monroe Kiefer (Carolyn Kiefer) of Minnesota and Maria Nally (Bill Nally) of Texas. She loved children from the bottom of her heart and helped raise three grandchildren, Dr. Laura Marie Nally of California, Ariel Monroe Kiefer of Missouri, and Alexis Monroe Kiefer of Minnesota. She often took care of her great-grand-doggy Kobe Nally of California who brought her many happy times. Mary graduated with honors from high school and was a member of the National Honor Society. She worked many years for AT&T as a telephone operator and also worked for IBM and Niagara Mohawk. Mary was very proud that her children graduated from college with advanced degrees, an opportunity that she did not have. Mary spent many years lovingly caring for and helping to raise her grandchildren. She was an excellent teacher and protector, yet made time with her grandchildren entertaining and fun. We remember her playing Super Mario Brothers with her granddaughter for hours on end. She attended many special events, including gymnastics meets, beauty pageants, orchestra concerts, birthday parties, and graduations, supporting her grandchildren throughout the years. These were some of the best years of her life. For this, her family is most grateful. Each year she visited family in Hornell, New York and there was always a celebration. They would gather at her mother's house for wine-filled festivities in true Italian style. Mary was known for her good taste and style. As a young lady, the family remembers her for her beauty. She was always meticulously dressed; not a hair was out of place and she had perfect makeup. She was beautiful even as the angels came to take her to Heaven. Mary adored spending time outside. She especially loved gardening and pruning her bushes. She enjoyed living independently and taking care of her home. She always decorated her home creatively for the holidays and had not one, but two Christmas trees in her windows. She was loved by her neighbors and friends who cared for her as well. Mary was very well known by close friends and family for her devotion to her religion. She will be forever remembered for her kind heart, her holy life and her daily prayers for her loved ones. Mary made it her goal to live to 80 years of age. She was then delighted to have lived to be 81 years old. She will always be loved and missed, especially by her children and grandchildren. We found this poem on her living room table and wanted to share it with everyone:
Thank You God for feet to run,
Thank You for my play and fun;
For eyes to see, for hands to lift,
For food to eat, and every gift
That makes me strong and wish to sing
"Thank You, God, for everything!"
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75093 . A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated directly after at 11:00 AM with The Reverend Marco Rangel, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas.
If you would like to make a donation in Mary's memory, you may contribute to All Saints Catholic Community, 5231 Meadow Creek Drive, Dallas, Texas 75248 (972)661-9282, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, www.oblatesusa.org or Prince of Peace Catholic Community, https://popplano.weshareonline.org/#