Mary W. Pfeiffer, wife of Matson Navigation Co. and Alexander & Baldwin Inc. Chairman Emeritus Robert Pfeiffer, died Dec. 4 in Orinda, Calif., after a long illness. She was 81. MARY W. PFEIFFER /
WORLD WAR II NAVY VETERANWife of former Matson
president stayed active
in local theater groupsMore obituaries
Entertainer Lani MoeStar-Bulletin staff
She christened two Matson vessels, the SS Maui and the MV R.J. Pfeiffer, named in honor of her husband, former Matson president.
Pfeiffer spent much of her life as a volunteer, often with her children's schools. She also served as chairwoman of a Honolulu youth theater, as well as wrote, directed and acted in its plays.
Pfeiffer also worked as a volunteer on manuscript projects at the Bishop Museum Library and served on the board of the Hawaii Opera Theatre.
Daughter of novelist George Worts and niece of cartoonist H.T. Webster, Pfeiffer was an avid reader and lover of the arts.
A naval officer during World War II, Pfeiffer met her husband, a fellow naval officer, in 1945 and married later that year on Kauai. The couple celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary Nov. 29.
The Connecticut native graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Virginia, where she majored in French and history.
She is survived by her husband; daughters Elizabeth Tumbas, Margaret Hughes, and Kathleen; son George; brother Robert Worts; and nine grandchildren.
No services will be held. The family requests no flowers. Memorial donations can be made to the Hawaii Opera Theatre, 987 Waimanu St., Honolulu 96814-3319. Phone 596-7372 or toll-free 800-836-7372.