Long-time Burien community activist Jeanne Pfeifer died at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Seattle following an illness on March 17.

Mrs. Pfeifer, who moved to Burien in 1991, was a local political activist, a member of the Vestry at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church on several occasions, and was a founder of the Burien Heritage Society - now the Highline Historical Society.

She was also a member of the Burien Economic Development Partnership and helped start the Burien Community Computer Center.

Mrs. Pfeifer was honored for her community spirit and involvement as a Grand Marshall of the Burien Fourth of July Parade.

"Jeanne lived in Burien less than 20 years but she made a huge impact in our community because she pitched in and did whatever needed to be done," said Cyndi Upthegrove, director of the Highline Historical Society.

"I know I'll miss her. She was always positive; she always had good things to say about people. She was always a pleasure to be around."

And, Upthegrove added, Mrs. Pfeifer "was a proud veteran of World War II.

A funeral Eucharist was celebrated at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Burien on March 22.

According to her son Dr. John R. Pfeifer of Burien, Jeanne Tebo Pfeifer was born on October 12, 1922, to Burnouf P. M. Tebo and Sarah E. Young Tebo in Marlboro, Mass.

She attended a country elementary school with three students, won an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution as "New Hampshire's Best Citizen" as a senior in high school, and received an academic scholarship to the University of New Hampshire.

In 1942, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 - one of the first 1,000 Navy WAVES to sign up.

As a Link-Instrument Trainer instructor, she met Lt. Reinhold T. Pfeifer, USMC, in 1944 and was married to him in March 1945.

After World War II, Mrs. Pfeifer completed her degree in psychology at the University of New Hampshire, and later served as principal of a high school in Hazelton, North Dakota.

She and Reinie moved to Houston, Texas, in 1951, where she raised her three sons - which she considered the major accomplishment of her life.

In 1968, Mrs. Pfeifer received her Master of Arts in psychology from the University of Houston, where she served as International Student Advisor for eight years, then began working as Director of Activities at St. Anthony Center in Geriatrics.

By 1971, she was the owner/director of the Learning Development Center for children with learning disabilities. Students of interest included actor Patrick Swayze and children of former Secretary of State James Baker.

Mrs. Pfeifer served as president of the Texas Association of Children with Learning Disabilities. In 1979, she received certification as a Certified Social Worker - Applied Clinical Practitioner.

In the meantime, Mrs. Pfeifer continued her entrepreneurial efforts as owner of Parent Teachers supply in Kingwood, Texas.

"From her earliest childhood, Jeannie loved to sing," Dr. Pfeifer recalled, "from the street corner in New Hampshire, to Big Bands in the 40s, to the piano bar at the Warwick in Houston, to the church choir.

"She loved a good story and had a unique way of seeing the humor in every day life. She dearly loved her country, patriotic music and the Fourth of July. She spent many an hour listening and counseling those in need.

"Most recently, she was 'Mom' to some of the lost boys of Sudan" who came to Burien to live, and co-authored a book with one of those refugees, Joseph Deng, entitled, I once was LOST but now am Found."

Mrs. Pfeifer also served on task forces for the development of downtown Burien, the initial steering committee for Discover Burien, and on the boards of Hospitality House, Burien Little Theatre and the Burien Arts Association.

At the time of her death, she was director of a special project "English in Action" of the Special Issues Task force of Discover Burien.

She also directed "Everyday English" - a language and acculturation program for parents of Latino children in conjunction with Para Los Ninos.

"I am saddened by the recent news that Jeanne Pfeifer, a good friend and supporter of Para Los Ninos, passed away, said Mauricio Ayon of that organization.

"She was very special to us as she always supported the immigrant and refugee communities in Burien/Highline. She worked very hard to open one of the first ESL classes in Burien at St. Elizabeth's church and mentored many of us."

Mrs. Pfeifer is survived by David L. and Nancy W. Pfeifer; Phillip A. Pfeifer, Esq., and Jane D. Pfeifer; John R. Pfeifer, OD. and Cynthia A. Murrill, OD. Her grandchildren are Kelly P. Rynchek, DDS. and Darren J. Rynchek, Capt. Paul D. Pfeifer, USMC, Ayren M. Pfeifer, James and Jeffrey Embry, Karen K. Pfeifer, Thomas C. Pfeifer, Nicholas A. Pfeifer, and Anne K. Pfeifer. Her great-grandchildren are Eric and Evan Rynchek, and Mardi and Max Pfeifer.