Nancy R. Donofrio,
Teacher loved nature
Nancy R. Donofrio, an outdoors enthusiast who shared her passion for nature with relatives and friends, died Wednesday of cancer at her Lutherville home.
Mrs. Donofrio, who was 62, enjoyed hiking, snorkeling, trout fishing, rafting and biking, and traveled often to indulge in her favorite activities. During the past 15 years she had visited Europe, Australia and the Pacific Northwest.
She often invited relatives and close friends to join her on those trips. "Her legacy to us was one of appreciation for nature," said her son H. Charles Donofrio Jr. of Glenarm.
Mr. Donofrio said his mother also cultivated many lifelong friendships. "She was a person who kept in touch with old school friends all through her life. It became apparent in her last months that she had a strong circle of friends," he said. "There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't have people with her."
She did volunteer work for the Maryland Orton Society, an association of teachers of dyslexic children. An avid tennis player, she gave lessons at St. Paul's School for Girls. She also played golf.
The former Nancy Jane Richardson grew up on a farm in New Windsor, Carroll County. She attended Roland Park Country School and was a 1949 graduate of Westminster High School.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in English literature in 1953 from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va., she taught English for a year at New Windsor High School and later was a physical education instructor at Parkville High.
Her marriage to Baltimore advertising executive Hal Donofrio ended in divorce.
A memorial service was to be held at 11 a.m. today at the Dulaney Valley funeral home of Lemmon-Mitchell-Wiedefeld Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road, Timonium.
Also surviving are another son, Malcolm R. Donofrio of Missoula, Mont.; her mother, Mary Richardson of Westminster; two sisters, Anita Oswald of Westminster and Lois Cooney of Catonsville; three granddaughters; and a close friend, Gene Cramer of Towson.
The family suggested memorial donations to the Nature Conservancy, 1815 Northlynn St., Arlington, Va. 22209.
William J. Sanders
Master electrician
William J. Sanders, a master electrician who belonged to several Catholic organizations, died Thursday of cancer at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. He was 74.
Mr. Sanders, a Baltimore native, was an estimator for Casper G. Sippel Inc., an electrical contractor in Overlea, for many years. He retired in 1986. Previously, he owned Sanders Electric in Overlea, where he made his home.
Mr. Sanders had been a longtime member of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Overlea. He was past parish council president, a minister of the Eucharist and a member of the church's Holy Name Society.
He also was a member of the Archbishop Francis P. Keough Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the Grand Knights Circle of Cardinal Gibbons Council No. 2521 and the Cardinal Gibbons retirees club.
Mr. Sanders was past president of the 14th District Democratic Club and the Electrical Contractors Association and an honorary member of the Crescent Yacht Club.
His first wife, the former Thelma L. Gross, died in 1983.
A Mass of Christian burial was to be offered at 10 a.m. today at St. Michael's Church, 2 Willow Ave.
Survivors include his wife of 10 years, the former Angela A. Lazzara; three daughters, Maria Elena Houston of Glen Arm, Betty A. McGrane of Calvert County and Karen L. Miller of Bel Air; three stepsons, Geno A. Antonelli of Upperco and Michael A. Antonelli and Joseph L. Antonelli, both of Perry Hall; a stepdaughter, Elisa M. Parks of Forest Hill; 15 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
The family suggested donations to the American Cancer Society or Heart Association.
Richard G. Nemerov
Investment broker
Richard G. Nemerov, a former investment broker and lover of jazz, died Thursday of cancer at his home in Columbia. He was 62.
Mr. Nemerov held various jobs throughout his life, working for CBS in New York in the late 1950s and later as a stockbroker for about seven years at companies in New York and New Jersey.
He also did marketing and promotional work for the New York Herald-Tribune and was a salesman for Charles Scribner's Sons.
He left his last job, as a deliveryman for Maryland Environmental Systems Inc. in Columbia, because of illness.
Mr. Nemerov loved the performing arts and attended jazz concerts and plays regularly.
Born in Manhattan, he was educated in New York public schools. In 1954, he graduated from Washington College in Chestertown.
He served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan.
Before he moved to Columbia in 1968, Mr. Nemerov lived in Annapolis and Hagerstown.
He was a member of the Baltimore Jewish Community Center.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Columbia Memorial Park.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, the former Marsha Himmel.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Albert R. Pfeiffer
Florist shop owner
Albert Raynor Pfeiffer, who owned a Towson florist shop, died Thursday of a heart attack at his Baltimore home. He was 61.
Mr. Pfeiffer was an award-winning floral designer who co-owned Albert and Kieran's Towson Florist on Allegheny Avenue for 33 years. He started in the floral industry 40 years ago as an apprentice at Roland Park Florist, where he worked for four years. He opened Albert-Dennis Florist in Pikesville and opened his Towson shop four years later.
"His hands worked magic wonders with flowers," said Kieran Devine, his partner at the Towson shop. "He would take nothing and make something out of it. He was extremely talented and imaginative. He was well-known for his quick wit and humor. He had the most wonderful sense of humor, the best I've ever known."
Mr. Pfeiffer was a member of the Moose Lodge in Essex-Middle River and the Retail Florist Association. His hobbies were bowling and bingo.
Services were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Schimunek Funeral Home, 3331 Brehms Lane, at Mannasota and Erdman avenues.
He is survived by his mother, Elsie Pfeiffer Gorman of Dundalk; a brother, Calvin Pfeiffer of Dundalk; two sisters, Beverly Klingler of Westminster and Joan Brilhart of Glen Burnie; several nieces and nephews; and two friends, Mildred Sessa of Baltimore and Mr. Devine of Timonium.