Harriette Tranfaglia

Kerrville Harriette Marguerite Schneider Tranfaglia, 97, of Kerrville, passed from this life at a local hospital on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2009.

Born March 11, 1912 in Waukon, IA, she was the eldest of four children born to John and Sophie Kaeser Schneider. John Henry Schneider operated a century dairy farm and dairy in Waukon, IA, and Sophie Mae was a dressmaker.Harriette loved the farm, especially spending time with her horses.

In 1933, she graduated from the University of Iowa with a major in chemistry and nutrition. Her early career as a hospital dietician took her to White Plains, NY, Freeport, IL, Bozeman, MT, La Crosse, WI and the civil service hospital in Ft Riley, KS. It is here that she met Vincent Tranfaglia, a 1st LT in the Army Cavalry Unit. On December 24, 1942, they married in Manhattan, KS.After WWII, from 19451955, they lived in Oak Forest, IL and Downers Grove, IL, both suburbs of Chicago.

In 1955, they moved to Manila, Philippines, where they resided until 1967. It is here that Harriette taught at the American School. Upon leaving Manila in 1967, they made their way to Beaumont, TX where they lived until 1978. While in Beaumont, Harriette worked at Elizabeth Hospital as the dietician.

In 1978, they retired to Kerrville.Since her graduation from the University of Iowa, Harriette was a member of the AAUW American Association of University Women. She maintained this membership all of her life. While in Manila, the organization was called Federated University Women. During her later years as a member of AAUW, in the Kerrville Chapter, she presided as President from 19821983 and shortly after 1983, she was nominated as AAUW Woman of the Year and received the lifetime member designation.Harriette was a longtime member of the American Dietetics Association and was active in the Kerrville Home Economics Group.

A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, she especially enjoyed teaching Sunday school in the many places she lived. Throughout her life, she traveled extensively, taking her to Southeast Asia, Japan, India, Egypt, Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States.She had many loves in her life, music, poetry, history, tatting, making stuffed dolls and animals. But her greatest love was her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In 2000, Harriette moved from her home to Plaza on the River where for 9 years, she enjoyed the fellowship of the many residents and staff. She played Mahjong and Mexican Train.

Harriettes family wishes to thank all the staff and residents, for their love and care for the past 9 years.

She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, two sisters and a brother.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her three daughters, H. Trallee Brown and, her husband Randy, of Morris Plains, NJ, Tandy Pfost and her husband, David, of Monrovia, CA, and Twyla Tranfaglia of Fredericksburg, TX four grandchildren, Timothy Brown and wife Carol, of Rocklin, CA, Kerry Brown Battaglia, and husband Bill, of Lake Mohawk, NJ, Alisa Kopp, and husband Darren, of Irvine, CA and Christopher Denny of Norfolk, VA and five great grandchildren, Alexis Brown, Cole Brown, Corinne Kopp, James Battaglia and Ava Battaglia.

There will be no visitation.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:00AM. Internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 2PM.

In lieu of floral arrangements, memorial donations in her name may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Library, 800 Jefferson St, Kerrville, TX 78028.

---