Marie-Jose Pfeiffer, 88, Lake Forest

Marie Jose’ Sabbe Pfeiffer of Lake Forest, Illinois died on January 10, 2023, at the age of 88. Marie was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 19, 1934, to Germain and Philemon Sabbe.

Marie’s life was filled with music. At a young age, she sang for Detroit’s Belgian community. She was a classically trained pianist and singer and performed on the radio in Detroit from the age of nine years old in the group Make Way for Youth.

She attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and transferred to the University of Detroit, where she became a soloist in the U of D Chorus. As a sought-after coloratura, she frequently performed in Detroit and was known to audiences for her vocal agility and her extraordinary lightness and range. She was recorded singing an F above High C in Mozart’s “Queen of the Night Aria” and Victor Herbert’s “Italian Street Song,” among others.

Marie met Tom Pfeiffer in the University of Detroit choir and married in 1956.

Marie shared her innate gift throughout her life and kept her musical dream alive through improvisation in her career. Marie continued to sing in church, in local productions, and around the campfire. As her children grew older, she volunteered as a music teacher at Saint Mary’s School in Lake Forest, Illinois and returned to college to finish her education. She graduated from Barat College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and became a full-time music teacher. Over the course of her teaching career, she taught thousands of young people to enjoy, understand, and experience music. Marie was an active participant in St. Mary’s Parish. She sang and directed choirs and served as a cantor for mass. Over the years, she always managed to keep music as a central theme.

In April 2020, Marie and Tom celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Tom died on May 5 the same year.

Marie’s gradual journey through end-stage dementia was accompanied by compassionate care givers and family. Even as her health and memory declined, she persevered with patience, grace, and a sense of humor. Her pleasing smile conveyed that she was at peace in the present moment.

Marie loved her family, singing, and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. She found peace in prayer, retreats, and chocolate, not necessarily in that order.

Marie’s signature song, “Summertime” was requested almost every summer. She and Tom used “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” as a refrain throughout their lives, harmonizing around the campfire, in piano bars, and occasionally in a hospital room. Her angelic version of “Ave Maria” was last performed when she was 83 at her granddaughter's wedding, and she sang “You Are My Sunshine” the week before she died.

Marie’s voice and her heart were light and sweet right up to the final note.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and her sister, Yolanda. She is survived by her brother, Don Sabbe, and her children Karl (Margaret) Pfeiffer, Cecilia (Stanley) Smoniewski, Christopher (Sally) Pfeiffer, Cathy (Stuart) Lanyon, Paul (Missy) Pfeiffer; grandchildren: Joey, Matthew, Jason (Alice), Clara (Kleighton), Ellie, Ned, Michael (Whitney), Elizabeth (Arzo), Angela (Bill), Cecilia (Dominic), Christopher (Beatrice), Isabel, Elowyn, Gabriel; and great-grandchildren: Keays, Nellie, Konrad, and Andrea.

A visitation will be held at Wenban Funeral Home 320 Vine Ave, Lake Forest, on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 9:00 am. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00am at the Church of St Mary, 175 E Illinois Road, Lake Forest.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.