Colleen Virginia Pfeifer Lind's Obituary
Alamo – On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Colleen completed her earthly journey
and went home to be with our Lord. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words, “To laugh
often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to leave the world a better place; to know one life has breathed easier because you
have lived. This is to have succeeded.” She was a remarkable woman and will be
missed dearly.
Colleen was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Educator,
Friend, Mentor and truly beautiful human being. She was born October 30, 1928 in
Edinburg to Alice and Frank Pfeifer. Colleen was the second of 11 children and grew
up in Alamo. She attended PSJA schools and graduated valedictorian of her senior
class. She graduated from Edinburg Junior College and met her beloved Buster
[Lucian Lind Jr.] in 1947 as he was finishing his duty in the winding down of World
War II. They were married April 17, 1949.
After rearing a large family, Colleen went back to college at Pan American University
[now UT, RGV] and got her degree in English. She graduated with Suma Cum Laude
honors. Colleen taught in the Edinburg Public Schools for 24 years. Her passion
was high school English. She was a wonderful educator and always ensured her
students had a top notch education. Still today, she is fondly remembered by those
she taught.
Colleen was an avid lover of the outdoors and gardening. She raised beautiful
roses, bluebonnets, and had a green thumb for any living plant she touched. In
1949, she became one of the first members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in
Edinburg, and through the years was a member of the Altar Society and actively
involved in lay ministry. She belonged to Women of Grace, was a member of the
Edinburg Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, life member of Friends of the Library,
Edinburg Retired Teachers Association, International Women’s Board, La Revista
Club and a past docent at Hidalgo County Historical Museum. Colleen also loved to
play bridge weekly with her dear friends.
Mrs. Lind was preceded in death by her husband, Buster, an infant son, Michael, her
parents, Alice and Frank, six sisters - Mary Alice Ballard [Tootsie], Roberta Freasier
[Bunky], June Ann Schafroth, Angie Kapeller [Bessie], Christina and Jean Pfeifer,
and one brother – Father Ted Pfeifer.
Colleen is survived by five children; Georgeanne [Kent] Weaver of Raymondville,
Rebecca [Raymond] Jenkins of San Antonio, Matthew of San Antonio, John of
Denver, Patrick [Gloria] of Edinburg; one brother, Bishop Michael Pfeifer of San
Antonio; two sisters, Jane Ellen Hilz of Tucson AZ and Judith Pfeifer of San Antonio;
six grandchildren, Jennifer Hawkes, Stephanie [Andrew] Swartz, Ryan [Christi]
Jenkins, Ruthanne Jenkins, Cameron [Vanessa] Lind and Chelsea [Eric] Janik; nine
great grand-children: Harllie Hawkes, David and Ava Swartz, Valentina and
McKenzie Lind, James, Madelyn and Kathryn Jenkins, Henry Janik.
Evening prayer and rosary will be December 05, 2023 with visitation to begin 6:30pm at
Aurora Funeral Home, 706 W. Sam Houston in Pharr. A funeral Mass and
celebration of Colleen’s life will be held on December 06, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church, 114 W. Fay in Edinburg. Please come join family and friends to celebrate
and remember a life so beautifully lived. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial
Gardens Cemetery on North Taylor Road in Mission.
Pallbearers will be: Ryan Jenkins, Cameron Lind, Andrew Swartz, David Swartz, Eric
Janik, Larry Ruiz, John Fritz, Larry Gilbert.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to San Antonio State
Supported Living Center - The Benefit Fund 6711 S. New Braunfels, Ste. 500
San Antonio, TX 78223
Funeral services are entrusted to the care of Aurora Funeral Home of Pharr.
What’s your fondest memory of Colleen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Colleen?
Share a story where Colleen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Colleen you’ll never forget.
How did Colleen make you smile?
