Joan Schaefer

Joan Schaefer, nee COSCIA, of Bergenfield, New Jersey died on September 23, 2013. Wife of George Schaefer (deceased 1977); mother of daughter Barbara J. Niclaus, Teaneck NJ, and Dennis G. Schaefer and loving wife Cynthia of Hartsville SC; grandmother of Eileen V. White and loving husband Clifford of W. Monroe, LA and Paul M. Schaefer and loving wife Laura of Myrtle Beach SC; and great grandmother of Matthew, Nicholas, Leigha, and Victoria. Sister of the late Andrew Coscia and loving wife Rose, sister of the late Dominick Coscia of Hubert NC (survived by loving wife Audry), sister of the late Louis Coscia of Budd Lake NJ and loving fiancee Rosalie Paddock of Cedar Grove. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A resident of Bergenfield since 1938, she was a member of the American Women's Volunteer Service, the American Red Cross First Aid team, a Red Cross instructor, and member of the Civilian Defense Council and Health and First Aid Committee during World War II. Sunday School teacher at South Presbyterian Church of Bergenfield during the 1950's and a member of that congregation since 1944. Secretary and coach of the Bergenfield P.A.L. from 1952 to 1964. Secretary of the Bergenfield Recreation Committee, and of the Bergenfield Community Center Building Fund since 1962. Honored as Woman Of The Year by the Zonta International Club of Teaneck/Bergenfield in 1997. First Woman inducted into the P.A.L. Hall of Fame (2000). 25 anniversary of Beyea/Schaefer P.A.L. softball field rededicated in her honor in 2006. Recipient of the Good Sportsmanship Award from Art Dede of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Founder of the UGALS girls' basketball and softball league in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties in 1959, and served as President from that year until her death. Coached basketball and softball for 17 of those years, and received many trophies and honors, the latest of them being the proclamation to honor her 55 years of service to women's sports by Mayor Richard J. Bohan, Sr., and the Council proclaiming the month of July 2008 as Joan Schaefer Recognition Month. Recipient of the 3rd highest Russell Berrie Award For Making A Difference in the state of New Jersey, 2010. She worked both part and full-time since 1933, finally retiring from Flexi-Van Leasing in 2002. Loved cats, dogs, butterflies, and birds. She died as she lived, loving her Creator, and in charity with all men. Visiting Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Riewerts Memorial Home, 187 So. Washington Ave. Bergenfield. All will gather at the funeral home on Friday at 10 AM for the Funeral service at South Presbyterian Church in Bergenfield at 11 AM. Interment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

Funeral Home: Riewerts Memorial Home 187 So. Washington Ave. Bergenfield, NJ US 07621

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Previous Events

visitation
Thursday, September 26, 2013
cemetery
Friday, September 27, 2013
service
Friday, September 27, 2013