Lucia (Pfeiffer) Callahan

Lucia (Pfeiffer) (Druppel) Callahan

September 2, 1924 - October 16, 2018

Lucia Callahan passed away peacefully at the age of 94 in the quiet of the morning

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts October 16, 2018

Born September 2, 1924 in Linz, Austria to parents Karoline (Banovics) & Karl Pfeiffer, Lucy’s life story is one of a true survivor.  Making the most of her life with family and friends brought her happiness and a full life.  The devoted mother of five; son Paul & Donna (Wood-deceased) Druppel, daughter Dorothy Kathleen & David DeSisto, daughter Lucia Gladys & Michael (deceased) Casey, daughter Shirley Jean Huber and son Cornelius ‘Neal’ Joseph & Kate Callahan.

Along with her former husband, Cornelius ‘Cal’ J Callahan (deceased) and all the Callahan families her life was busy and happy.  Welcomed to the family by her sisters and brother’s in-law; Bernard & Josephine, Edward & Betty, Jean & Frank (Robinson) and Arlene & Phil  (Porter) she was made to feel a part of a large extended Irish family.  Never forgetting her beloved brothers, Karl & Martha Pfeiffer of Manchester Center, VT and Friedel & Mitzi Pfeiffer of Linz, Austria.  She always enjoyed the times she managed to visit her “mother land” and the families still there. Through the years Lucy lived in Stoneham, Northborough, Andover, Buzzards Bay Massachusetts and Naples, Florida.

As a young girl she married Paul Druppel (deceased) who was a young German soldier & a casualty of the war.  They had two sons Paul and Dietmar (deceased).  Widowed with one child, Paul, she met and married US Sergeant Cornelius J Callahan at the end of WWII.  After living in Germany for several years they transferred back to the States with three children arriving to Malden, Massachusetts.  With the addition of two children the family moved to Stoneham, Massachusetts where she embraced her new life.  Learning to speak English was most important to her if she was to live and become a citizen of the USA.  She was proud of her Austrian heritage but never hesitated to express her love and appreciation for her life in America.  While raising her children she demonstrated the importance of being a very hard working and an appreciative person who demanded of herself and others to always put your best effort into whatever you are doing.

She was proud of her dedicated 20+ years of work at a great company, Gillette, and never hesitated to let anyone know of the good benefits her employer provided for retirement years.  She was a fiercely independent-minded woman.

Her laugh was contagious, and her seriousness respected as well as her natural talent of tasteful fashion and resourceful homemaking skills were truly impressive.  Her life story was like that of a good book.  Her generation spent their youth during a troubled time in history; loves and lives lost, war tragedies, yet all the happiness of creating a family and a lovely home and a new start gave her the opportunity for a life well lived.

Lucy enjoyed family gatherings most of all.   She was artistic and a very good cook using her “German cookbook” for delicious meals and making the most of Sunday suppers and every holiday celebration.  Most often ending the evenings with “who wants to play cards”?  The games would be played into the wee hours.  Being a very competitive gal and wanting to win every hand, her wins were celebrated with glee!  Lucy was a talented knitter and seamstress.  Enjoyed dancing, golf, bowling, and tended a beautiful garden during her younger years

Lucy leaves behind her five children and their spouses.   Grandsons; Jason Cornelius Druppel, James & Sharon Wood, David Neal & Erin DeSisto, Christopher Edward & Noel DeSisto, Charles Michael Casey, Eric Randy Huber and Granddaughters; Andrea Wood (Goss) and Stephanie Nicole Pfeiffer (Phalen).   Great Grandchildren; Dawson & Simone DeSisto, Adeline & Aidan Druppel, Brenden & Connor Goss, Brice Wood, Luna Pfeiffer-Phalen and Addie-Jo DeSisto.  Brother Karl & Martha Pfeiffer, sisters-in-law Arlene Porter and Josephine Callahan along with the many nieces and nephews.  All were a great joy to her.

Lucy will remain in the hearts of many, and she knew who they would be. Her final years at the Royal Cape Cod Nursing Home in beautiful Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts where she was well cared for is most appreciated.  All the family made the most of their times together.   Lucy will be missed by all who knew and loved her and will be thought of proudly always as a very special, inspirational and unique lady with a great accent.

With love, Auf Wiedersehen and may you Rest in Peace

dear Mom, Grandma, Auntie, Sister, friend …. Lucy

Those we love don’t go away

They walk beside us every day

Unseen, unheard, but always near

Still loved, still missed and very dear