Grace Pauline Riffle, 89, passed away on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born March 18, 1931, in Saint Joseph, the daughter of the late Frank Anthony and Pauline Grace (Fronaphel) Schafer. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl B. Riffle Sr.
She is survived by her five sons, Carl Riffle Jr., David (Tammy) Riffle, Frank Riffle and Michael (Robin) Riffle, all of Fairmont, and Kevin (Yun) Riffle, of Sacramento, Calif.; four daughters, Pamela (Chuck) Hartman, Susan (Roy) Cowger, Linda (Joe) Pheasant and Patty (Ben) Sine, all of Fairmont; one son-in-law, John Dougal Sr., of Fairmont; one brother, John “Jack” (Mary) Schafer, of Birch River; one sister-in-law, Carolean Schafer, of Fairmont; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Terri Dougal; a brother, Francis Schafer; and a great-granddaughter.
Grace graduated from Saint Peters High School in Fairmont and Wheeling Hospital’s nursing school. She worked as a registered nurse at Fairmont Regional Medical Center for 10 years, 31 years at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in the emergency department and 10 years for Healthsouth Mountainview Rehab.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairmont. She was a member of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Council and a Girl Scout leader for over 40 years for her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. She was a long time volunteer for the American Red Cross. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the “Young and Old League,” playing Bingo at the Knights of Columbus Hall and camping with her family at Big Bear Lake.
Grace will be missed by family and friends and leaves a legacy of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family wants to acknowledge the wonderful care given to their mother by the nurses and aides from Amedisys Hospice of Clarksburg, especially Angie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Grace’s memory to either the American Red Cross, 405 First St., Fairmont, or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.
Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, from noon-8 p.m. on Sunday. A vigil service will be held in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening with the Rev. Father Jojan Joseph C.S.T. and Sister Stella Cronauer C.S.J. presiding. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be required at the visitation and funeral mass. Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 329 Maryland Ave., Fairmont, at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, with the Rev. Father Jojan Joseph C.S.T. as celebrant. The interment will follow at Mount Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum.
Condolences:
www.fordfuneralhomes.com
