Eleanor Kienke Zaffer

Eleanor Kienke Zaffer, 93, passed away March 2, 2023. Elanor was a native of Brooklyn, NY, daughter of her parents, Minna and Henry C. Kienke, German immigrants and proud of that heritage.

She was an accomplished secretary/typist, experienced in shorthand and sopranoist. She spent her career as a secretary to a Rabbi at North Shore Jewish Center on Long Island and at Temple Beth El in Rochester, NY. Her years at the temple have left her family with many Yiddish phrases that she liked to use over the years.

Eleanor met Jim Zaffer and the two were married in 1951 and spent 61 years together. The best times of their lives were spent in Sebastian, Florida where both were active in the Lutheran Church choir and where Elanor was a member of other choirs and performed frequently. She was also a member of the Red Hats, which she dearly loved being apart of. Eleanor will be remembered for her mischievous smile, love of history, politics and maps, and a good card game along with a glass of wine.

She leaves behind her son, Richard Zaffer (Randi); daughter, Darlene Zaffer Law (Fran); grandchildren, Andrew Law (Jessica), Ryan Zaffer, Sarah Law, Rachel Tipton (Matt), and Jon Zaffer (Jenny); and 10 great-grandchildren that she loved to tell anyone who would listen to her about.

No memorial service is planned at this time but the family all appreciated those who have reached out and offered their condolences. We rest easy that she is reunited with her husband, Jim, and others of the family that have left us way too soon.

Eleanor was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in New Bern, NC and will be inurned in the columbarium alongside her husband.