Elizabeth Joanne “BJ” (Pfeiffer) McConnell was born in Port Townsend, WA to Lauretta and Payne Pfeiffer. She was one of ten children. She attended St Leo’s, St Patrick’s, Aquinas Academy and The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. BJ married Bill McConnell, the love of her life, on February 12, 1966. Last year they celebrated their Golden Anniversary. They enjoyed living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Dallas, Texas, and finally heading back to the Pacific Northwest spending the last 25 years in Portland. BJ’s children and grandchildren were her pride and joy…the legacy of her enthusiasm for life and energetic spirit will live on through them. Oh, how they love their GG!

BJ, 76, died on April 7, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband Bill, four children; Betzy (Tom) Jones, Mark (Summer) McConnell, Michael (Gina) McConnell, Amy (Scott) Finholm and their nine grandchildren; Preston, Ava, Masie, Kelton, Finley, Lauretta, Rachel, Troy and Sadie. She also leaves behind her sisters Sally Myers, MaryAlice Busch, Laurie McVoy, and brothers Bob, Tom and George Pfeiffer. In addition, she has numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives to carry on her zest and passion for life, love, and family.

A Funeral Mass celebrating BJ’s life will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017, 11:00 am at St Patrick Catholic Church in Tacoma, Washington. Inurnment at Calvary Cemetery. The family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sheppard Cancer Research Fund #24696 at OHSU Department of Surgery, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L223A, Portland, OR 97239.

Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home

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