KERRVILLE — Harriette Marguerite Schneider Tranfaglia, 97, of Kerrville, passed from this life at a local hospital on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2009.
Born March 11, 1912, in Waukon, Iowa, she was the eldest of four children born to John and Sophie (Kaeser) Schneider. John Henry Schneider operated a century dairy farm and dairy in Waukon, Iowa, and Sophie Mae was a dressmaker. Harriette loved the farm, especially spending time with her horses.
In 1933, she graduated from the University of Iowa with a major in chemistry and nutrition. Her early career as a hospital dietician took her to White Plains, N.Y., Freeport, Ill., Bozeman, Mont., La Crosse, Wis., and the civil service hospital in Fort Riley, Kan. It is here that she met Vincent Tranfaglia, a first lieutenant in the Army Cavalry Unit. On Dec. 24, 1942, they married in Manhattan, Kan.
After World War II, from 1945-1955, they lived in Oak Forest, Ill., and Downers Grove, Ill., both suburbs of Chicago. In 1955, they moved to Manila, Philippines, where they resided until 1967. It is here that Harriette taught at the American School. Upon leaving Manila in 1967, they made their way to Beaumont, Texas, where they lived until 1978. While in Beaumont, Harriette worked at Elizabeth Hospital as the dietician. In 1978, they retired to Kerrville.
Since her graduation from the University of Iowa, Harriette was a member of the American Association of University Women. She maintained this membership all of her life. While in Manila, the organization was called Federated University Women. During her later years as a member of AAUW, in the Kerrville Chapter, she presided as president from 1982-1983 and shortly after 1983, she was nominated as AAUW Woman of the Year and received the lifetime member designation.
Harriette was a longtime member of the American Dietetics Association and was active in the Kerrville Home Economics Group.
A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, she especially enjoyed teaching Sunday school in the many places she lived.
Throughout her life, she traveled extensively, taking her to Southeast Asia, Japan, India, Egypt, Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
She had many loves in her life, music, poetry, history, tatting, making stuffed dolls and animals. But her greatest loves were her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 2000, Harriette moved from her home to Plaza on the River where, for nine years, she enjoyed the fellowship of the many residents and staff. She played Mahjong and Mexican Train. Harriette's family wishes to thank all the staff and residents for their love and care for the past nine years.
She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, two sisters and a brother.
Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her three daughters, H. Trallee Brown and her husband, Randy, of Morris Plains, N.J., Tandy Pfost and her husband, David, of Monrovia, Calif., and Twyla Tranfaglia of Fredericksburg, Texas; four grandchildren, Timothy Brown and wife, Carol, of Rocklin, Calif., Kerry Brown Battaglia and husband, Bill, of Lake Mohawk, N.J., Alisa Kopp and husband, Darren, of Irvine, Calif., and Christopher Denny of Norfolk, Va.; and five great-grandchildren, Alexis Brown, Cole Brown, Corinne Kopp, James Battaglia and Ava Battaglia.
There will be no visitation
A memorial celebration of her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Inurnment will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2009.
In lieu of floral arrangements, memorial donations in her name may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Library, 800 Jefferson St., Kerrville, TX 78028.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhome.com by selecting Obituaries. Select "Sign Guestbook" at the bottom of the individual memorial.
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home.