Barbara Catherine Pfeifer Aton, 84
Barbara Catherine Pfeifer Aton, 84, passed peacefully into eternal rest at home in Naples, Wednesday morning June 24th, 2009.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 3 p.m. in St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry.
Barbara was born on June 22, 1925 in Dallas, Texas to Lawrence Victor Pfeifer of Rockport, Indiana and Catherine Emma Schaeffer Pfeifer of Owensboro, Kentucky. When she was two months old her family moved to Kemmerer, Wyoming and then on to Mt. Clemens, Michigan where she grew up.
She graduated from high school in 1943 and immediately found a job that lead to her long career in Civil Service. She always chuckled at the fact that she got her first job when she was relaxing on the beach with friends and ran into her prior accountant teacher who told her about a job opening.
During WWII she worked in procurement and joined the USO. One love in Barbara’s life, among many, was dancing. She won many dance contests as a young woman. Jitterbugging and Polka were favorites. One afternoon at the USO Club a young Staff Sergeant, James F. Aton, waltzed into her life. They married 3 months later and left Mt. Clemens, MI and never looked back. They moved to Memphis, TN where she continued her Civil Service Career while Jim attended The Southern College of Optometry. It was during this time they were blessed with a son, Mark Alan, and a daughter Catherine Louisa.
In 1959 Jim reentered the military as a Dr. of Optometry 2nd Lieutenant and this started a world tour from Memphis to Louisiana where she and Jim learned to fly and obtained their pilots licenses. They went to Spain for 2 years and while there experienced an extended tour of Europe for 30 days. In the early 1960’s she also accompanied a teacher’s tour to Russia, Poland, and various countries while they were still considered behind the “Iron Curtin”. These were truly once in a lifetime experiences that left a life long impression. One, witnessing these oppressed people unable to practice their Catholic faith in public.
They moved on to Arkansas in the mid 60’s and stayed for 5 years. During this time Barbara enjoyed duties of an Officers wife and became President of the Officers Wives Club. These duties she showed her charm with outstanding grace and poise. Clark AFB was their next assignment in the Republic of the Philippines during the Vietnam era. She and her family explored the island of Luzon with gusto. They came back to the USA and were stationed in Utah, for a final assignment before Jim’s retirement from the Air Force.
In 1975 they moved back to Memphis, TN and enjoyed being back what they considered, home. Jim passed away unexpectedly in 1978. She remained working with the Navy at NAS Millington until 1984 when she decided life was to short and she moved to Deep Creek, ID to be near her daughter, Cathy and her young grandchildren.
She continued to work; she kept the books and managed the accounts for Rick and Cathy’s Deep Creek Restaurant and Lounge. When they left the business she went to work managing the accounts at S, S & H and the South Hill Saw Shop until her retirement in Oct. 2000.
Barbara had a deep love and conviction of the Catholic faith. She never faltered in her staunch beliefs… nothing was more sacred to her. She has been a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church for many years.
She had many interests and kept herself occupied with the study of family history, and history in general, sewing and pattern drafting, card playing and being with family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved social activity. She loved her family, people and her little dog Annie.
Barbara was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and friend. She was always there to offer a helping hand, advice or anything you needed. She had a loving heart and patience to go along with it. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
She is survived by her brothers: Paul (Gloria) Pfeifer of Bismarc, IL: Albert Leo (Pat) Pfeifer, of Colorado Springs, Co.; Her son, Mark Aton (Naples, ID) her daughter, Cathy (Rick) Reed of Naples. Three grandchildren; Amber (Aram) Dowell, Ryan (Sara) Reed, and Elena Aton, four great-grandsons; Carson and Jace Dowell, Nathan Schulze, and Gage Reed all of Naples, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to sign Barbara’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.