Miriam ( Mimi) Schaffer

http://www.alz.org

Miriam (Mimi) Schaffer of Bethlehem, New York, formerly of Niagara Falls, beloved wife of the late Max Schaffer, passed into eternal life on Thursday, September 21, 2021 at Albany Medical Center.

Born in Niagara Falls, New York on April 20, 1924, she was the daughter of the late David and Ella Sauber, sister of Selma Mann and the late Morty Sauber of Niagara Falls. She graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1942 and worked at the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. She later worked in the Niagara Falls Social Security Office, where she met and married her boss, Max Schaffer, in 1946. Mimi and Max were lovingly married for 42 years until Max’s passing in 1988. She is survived by sons Mark (Sara) of Saratoga Springs, New York, Paul (Eileen) of San Diego, California and Howard (Wendy) of Bethlehem, New York, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and twenty nieces and nephews. As a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, she showed a great love for her family. “Mimi” was very involved in Niagara Falls’ Temple Beth El synagogue for most of her adult life, where she served in a number of positions including Sisterhood President from 1964-66 and later as Principal of the Temple Beth El Religious School during the 1970’s. Throughout this time, she dedicated herself to the art of Jewish cooking and co-authored a Jewish cookbook entitled What’s Cookin’? which is continually being used in kitchens throughout the country by third and fourth generations. Mimi was recognized as a gourmet cook and perfected the art of hosting dinner parties, talented in organizing larger functions at local synagogues as well. Mimi also enjoyed playing bridge. She moved to Bethlehem, New York in her later years to be near family.  During the last 8 years, she lived with her son, Howard and daughter-in-law Wendy, where she was surrounded by lots of love and family. Throughout her life, she would spend summers at the Schaffer family summer cabin in Lake Luzerne in the Adirondacks. She was loved and admired by all who knew her.

Burial  will be  held Thursday, September 23 in Niagara Falls at the Amigone Funeral Home, and interment will be  at Riverside Cemetery in Lewiston, New York.

A memorial service and shiva will be held Sunday, September 26 at 7PM and on Monday, September 27, noon – 4PM at the home of Howard & Wendy Schaffer, 44 Carstead Drive in Slingerlands, New York

Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org

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