Maureen E. (Freitas) West

Maureen Elizabeth West was born on February 6, 1933, in Merrick, Long Island, NY to Fernando and Elizabeth Freitas. Maureen was born at home weighing only 1 and ½ pounds. The doctor instructed her mother to wrap Maureen in blankets and place her in a warm oven until he arrived. She was given her last rites, as her mother prayed to the Virgin Mary to spare Maureen’s life. In return, her mother vowed to dress Maureen in blue clothes for an entire year to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Maureen survived and thrived, spending her first year of life wearing only blue. 

Maureen is predeceased by her parents Fernando and Elizabeth; her four brothers Frank, Bob, David, and Jeffrey. Her sisters-in-law, Pat, Trish, and Kay; her beloved husband, Albert B. West, and her son, David Schefer. 

Maureen is survived by her children William H. Schefer and his wife Donna, Ellen Cronin, her partner Mark D’Ambrosio; Jacqueline Bono and her husband Jeremy. Maureen was blessed with nine wonderful grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Maureen adored watching her family grow and was proud grandmother and great-grandmother who was delighted to seeing all of them shine. 

Maureen enjoyed a simple life; her priorities were her family and friends. She was an introvert by nature, never needing to be the center of attention, but she was always close by taking it all in. Over her adult life, she worked various jobs to support her family. Her favorite job was as a telephone operator in New York. She had a lifetime membership at the Manchester East Fish and Game Club in Manchester, NH. She loved crossword puzzles, and knitting sweaters, scarves, and blankets for the family. As the years went on, Maureen continued to knit, she made hundreds of  baby hats that she donated to local hospitals. Once retired, Maureen stayed in close contact with her cousins and enjoyed monthly lunch dates with her sister-in-law Mary Freitas and cousin, Maddy Chichester. Maureen was a humble person and her most precious gift was the way she unconditionally loved each and every one of us.

A private ceremony will be held in the chapel at the New Hampshire Veteran's Cemetery Boscawen, New Hampshire followed by interment with her husband Albert.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. 

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 

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