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    DELRAY BEACH — Maryruth Price Pfeiffer, our beautiful mother and the heart of our family, went to heaven on June 9. She was born on the Fourth of July, 1928, in Dearborn, Mich. Maryruth was the daughter of the late Eleanore and Martin Price.
    She grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and graduated from the Beaumont School. She attended Ursuline College and Case Western Reserve University. She was an honor student, respected by her fellow classmates, and was elected president of her class all through her school years.
    She was an English major who instilled a love of the written and spoken word in her children, grandchildren, and students in the Great Books courses she taught.
    Maryruth lived many years in the Shaker Heights, Ohio, Washington, D.C., New York, and Connecticut areas. After her marriage to Ralph A. Pfeiffer Jr. who predeceased her, she moved to Florida in 1976.
    “Mere,” as she was known to all, gave the gift of unconditional love to her 11 children and their loved ones: Mary Ellen Pfeiffer, Karen Pfeiffer (Harold A. Schaitberger), Christine Pfeiffer, Jo Pfeiffer (Ken Heffner), Ralph A. Pfeiffer III (Donna), Elizabeth Pfeiffer (Charles J. Santos-Buch), John Pfeiffer (Peggy), William Pfeiffer (Julie Andersen), Mary Pfeiffer (deceased),  Nancy Pfeiffer and Thomas Pfeiffer (Julie).  
    She is survived by her 11 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one step-grandson-in-law, three grandsons-in-law and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Nance Bernet, and her loving nieces and nephews.
    Mere brought joy and light into the hearts of all she met with her wit, style, grace and zest for life. She generously gave to many causes and charities and was most active in the advancement of research for a cure for diabetes. Maryruth was an accomplished piano player and poet who shared her passions for the fine arts, musical theater, film, comedy, New York Times crossword puzzles in ink, and mysteries with her loved ones.
    She was brilliant and hilarious.  She beat everyone in her favorite quiz show, Jeopardy. She was multi-talented and made everything look easy. Mere delighted in dancing to music and enjoyed walking the beach at sunset with her family. She loved anyone who was kind to her children and instantly they became part of the family.
    Mere’s generosity of spirit is exemplified by the phrase for which she will always be remembered: “I love you more.”  
    A memorial Mass will be at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4. Her interment will be at a later date.  
    In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions may be made “In Loving Memory of Maryruth Price Pfeiffer” to: Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 200 S. Park Road, Suite 100, Hollywood, FL 33021. www.diabetesresearch.org/tribute-gift.

— Obituary submitted by the family