Florence (Izzo) Schaefer

Schaefer, Florence “Lee" Izzo, 96, lifelong resident of Fairfield, CT, and beloved wife of the late William L. Schaefer, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on April 14, 2026. Lee was the epitome of kindness, and her devotion to her family defined her. She was born on Jan. 19, 1930, in Westport, CT, to the late Florence (Marotto) and James Izzo. When Lee was only six, her birth mother died, and her father was remarried to Angelina (DiDomenico). Lee graduated from Staples High School, Westport, CT, then went on to secretarial school. She lived and worked in New York City for a time, before moving back to Fairfield, CT, and marrying the love of her life on July 17, 1954. Together with Bill, Lee raised their five children, sharing their strong Catholic faith, an abundance of love, and instilling a strong sense of compassion, respect for others, and zest for life, becoming the ultimate matriarch and role model. They were married for 57 wonderful years. Lee was a long-time member of Holy Family Parish, and a proud member of the Holy Family Rosary Guild, also serving as its president for several years. She was a valued employee at McCrellis Welding, and Murphy Advertising, both of Bridgeport. Even after her “retirement,” she was proud to continue working part-time well into her 70s. She enjoyed being part of the crafters group at the Fairfield Senior Center and also worked as a receptionist there. As a Mom and Gram, she was unparalleled. She taught her four daughters to sew, knit, crochet, cook and do any craft imaginable. She was an ace Scrabble player, a U.S. history buff, a novice woodworker using her scroll saw, and could literally carry on a conversation with a random stranger in any setting. She is perhaps best known for her homemade pasta sauce, amazing meatballs, eggplant parmesan, mini cheesecakes, zucchini bread, afghans, potholders, Humpty Dumpty, sock monkeys, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and a menagerie of other stuffed creations. She was an avid fan of the New York Mets, the Pope, Frank Sinatra, and the Democratic Party, and was known to lavish her handmade goods on family, friends, friends of family, and even people she’d never met. She was generous to a fault! Lee is survived by her large and loving family, including her five children and their spouses: Laura and Howard Cooley, Carey and Larry Fitzgerald, William and Gail Schaefer, Mary and James Wendt, and Donna Pintek and Andrew Pinnow. Lee is also survived by her loving sister, Frances “Cookie” Izzo, and brothers, Anthony "AJ" Izzo, and Bernard Izzo, sisters-in-law, Annette Izzo, Judy Izzo, Joan Izzo, Phyllis Trefz, Patricia Schaefer, and Elizabeth Wicke, plus numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by her 17 wonderful grandchildren, their spouses and 27 great grandchildren: Lyn (Cooley) and Bryant Majors and children, Tyler, Carson, Juliet, and William; Lisa (Cooley) and Josh Hesser and children, Josephine and Lavinia; Greg and Jaime Cooley and sons, Brycen, Tristan, and  Cameron; Lauren (Cooley) and Paul Jensen and daughters, Madeline and Eleanor; Leigh (Cooley) and Joseph Champion and sons, Joseph and Logan; Brendan and Diana Fitzgerald and children Brayden and Natalie; Rose (Fitzgerald) Kay and John Kehoe and Declan and Nora Kehoe; Mary Fitzgerald; Amanda Schaefer and children, Jack and Lina; William L. and Amy Schaefer; Douglas and Melisa Schaefer; James and Erin Wendt and children, Catherine and Cameron; Kristen Wendt and Kate Harrigan; Kurt and Anna Wendt; Michael and Diana Pintek and sons, Caden, Dawson and Preston; Joseph and Meghan Pintek and daughters, Brooke, Bridget and Whitney; and Theo and Julia Pinnow. In addition to her parents and husband, Lee was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Salvatore and Lucy Izzo, Theresa and Charlie Chariot, Antoinette and Pat Capodicci, Sara and Jim Moran, Mary and Ed Lehn, Rose and Jim Durling, Joseph and Olga Izzo, James Izzo, John Izzo; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marie Mosbach, Lawrence Schaefer, Charles and Ann Schaefer, and Fred Wicke; her son-in-law, Michael Pintek Sr, and her grandson-in-law, Michael Kay. The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care delivered by St. Mary’s Hospital and River Glen Health Care Center. Calling hours will be held 4-7 p.m. on Tues., April 28, at the Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Waterbury Rd., Prospect. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, 4 Union City Rd., Prospect, on Wed., April 29, at 10:30 am. Burial will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. If Lee has graced you with one of her beautiful afghans, we encourage you to bring it to the church to drape over the pew during the service. In lieu of flowers, pledges can be made to the “entirely unofficial” national league of eggplant parmesan enthusiasts in Lee’s name. (Actual donations can be sent to House of Heroes, 3342 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06518  www.hohct.org )

Prospect Memorial/The Palmerie Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements and invites you to share your favorite memories of Lee, photos and condolences on Lee's tribute wall on this website .

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