SCHOEFFLER, Yola

Yola (Ronca) Schoeffler died June 2, 2007. Born in Schenectady, New York in 1924, she and her husband moved to Tucson in 1955 and Scottsdale in 1962. Prior to her marriage she worked for International General Electric in Schenectady, Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC, Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Schenectady and Raytheon Manufacturing Company in Boston. Yola was married for 59 years to her husband Fred Joseph Schoeffler. She was mother to Fred, Glen, Brian and Mark and grandmother to Traci, James and Andrea. She also leaves two wonderful daughters-in-law, Anne and Carol. Yola met Fred at a ballroom dance in 1946 just after his return from service in the United States Navy after WW II and they danced through the years to 2006. When Fred went to college in Boston after their marriage in 1948, she worked and received her P.H.T. degree (Putting Hubby Through). After the children reached their teens, she worked for Dillards for 20 years. She and Fred traveled extensively starting in the 80's through Asia and Europe visiting 30 countries: China where they walked on the Great Wall, Cambodia visited Angkor Wat, climbed a glacier in New Zealand in the 90's, Thailand five times (her favorite country), Italy 5 times where her parents were born and where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She had a T-shirt that read "Made in Italy" as her mother was 3 months pregnant when she arrived at Ellis Island. Since she spoke no English Yola had to have an interpreter her first two years in school. She seized every opportunity in life to improve herself. She was a fantastic cook and after two days in a country could duplicate their foods. In her 60's she decided she wanted to run and competed in road races. She was a very gracious, loving, gregarious person and I don't know what I'll do without the love of my life. Private services will be held at the family's home. Messenger Mortuary is assisting the family Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/9/2007.