Grace Showalter Schafer of Frederick, PA, formerly of Pottstown, died September 17, 2022 at Frederick Retirement Living after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Ronald K. Schafer who died in 2019; Grace and Ron shared 59 years of marriage.
The older of two daughters, Grace was born to Gertrude Whitby Showalter and Russell W. Showalter of Phoenixville. Grace graduated from Phoenixville High School in 1954 and went to the former West Chester State Teachers College and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education.
Grace taught at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School for 4 years from 1958 through 1962. After taking time away from teaching to raise a family, Grace became the director of the former Grace Lutheran Church Preschool in Pottstown from 1980 to 1990. After retiring from that position, Grace worked as a receptionist for a local audiologist and hearing aid office and then volunteered at the former Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in the mailroom. Grace was also part of the art-goes-to-school program in Pottstown. Together with her sister, Louise Showalter Hughes of Phoenixville, Grace ran the Showalter Homestead Farm for a number of years after their parents’ deaths until they sold the farm to be developed into a housing community in the mid 1990’s.
Grace & Ron were always active in the churches of which they were a part – St. James Lutheran, Pottstown; Grace Lutheran Church, Pottstown, and Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, Grace was on the Christian education ministries of each of those churches. She was very active in the leadership of the Women of the ELCA at those churches as well as being involved in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod area Lutheran women’s groups. Grace enjoyed reading, collecting Beatrix Potter figurines, and, along with Ron, enjoyed antiques.
Surviving in addition to Grace’s sister, Louise, are sons David Schafer and wife Lexi, of Westminster, MD; Brian Schafer of Allentown, PA, and Neil Schafer and wife Janet of Collegeville, PA Grandchildren include Creason (Caleb) Walter, Chamberlyn Schafer, and Matthew Schafer. Brother-in-law Don Schafer of Frederick also survives Grace as do numerous Schafer and Showalter nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Grace will be at St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA on Monday, October 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon for all in attendance to follow the service in Horn Hall. Private inurnment at Highland Memorial Park to follow.
Memorial gifts can be made to St. James Lutheran Church or the Grace Early Learning Center, 660 N. Charlotte Street, Pottstown,PA 19464 or the Alzheimer’s Association -Delaware Valley Chapter 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA. 19106.