Mary Elizabeth Schaefer

Schaefer, Mary (nee Smolinski) of North St. Paul

6/21/49 – 7/9/25

Mary passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family July 9. Her proudest achievements were her loving marriage to Bob for 53 years, their children & spouses, Kristin Wood (Woody), Jim (Stacy) and her grandson Jonathan. She is also survived by her siblings Sue Zupfer (Gary), John (Deb), George (Ruth), Jim (Colleen), Joan Wieser, Tom (Steph), Ed (Deb), many in-laws especially Friday night card partners Wayne & Syd, special friends Sandy A., Judy, Mary and Sandy S. and special neighbors Katie & Mike. Preceded in death by her beloved sister and partner in crime, Lucy, her parents and in-laws.

Mary worked for EcoLab (where she met Bob) and Target after her children were in school all day but it was her passion for food that led her to pursue a new career path. At the age of 40, she returned to college proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Afterward, she made her mark as the Pastry Chef for several well-known restaurants in St. Paul, sharing her creativity, love and unforgettable dishes and desserts with everyone around her. She was known for her cioppino (Bob’s favorite) at Cognac McCarthy’s and her mile-high apple pies. We offer special thanks to her Chef Instructors – Eberhard Werthmann, Larry Fischer and Manfred Krug for the unique and meaningful roles they played in her life. Your presence and support meant the world to her – and to us.  Additional thanks are also offered to her son-in-law Woody, who as a Chef Instructor himself, was always “on call” – whenever she had a question, he had an answer, a technique or an ingredient.

She was most proud of her family, her gorgeous flower gardens and her hole-in-one on #15 at Gem Lake Hills Golf Course. She loved playing golf, reading, lunching and playing pull tabs with her friends, fishing with her family at the lake and sitting on the deck with Bob watching the birds. Her warmth, humor and spark lit up every room she entered. Whether you knew her for a moment or a lifetime, you knew you were in the presence of someone truly special. The different she made in our lives is immeasurable.

We are heartbroken by her passing and can’t imagine life without our sparky, opinionated little spitfire. Her legacy lives on in the laughter she inspired, the lessons she taught and the love she gave so freely.  She will be missed more than words can express.

Mary requested that no formal service be had but we encourage everyone to celebrate her life in their own special way. The family will be having a small gathering at their home sometime this summer. Please reach out to her children for more information.