Posted on: Friday, December 13, 2002

Mary Pfeiffer, naval officer, 81

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mary W. Pfeiffer, a World War II naval officer who married a fellow officer who would become head of Matson Navigation Co., died Dec. 4 at her home in Orinda, Calif., after a lengthy illness. She was 81.

Pfeiffer and her husband, Robert J. Pfeiffer, had celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary Nov. 29.

Born in Connecticut, Mary Pfeiffer was the daughter of novelist George F. Worts and niece of cartoonist H.T. Webster, a heritage that gave her an appreciation for the arts and literature early in life.

She majored in French and history at Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Virginia, and was serving as a naval officer when she met her husband-to-be in 1945. They were married that year on Kaua'i, and lived in Hawai'i for many years.

As the wife of the chairman emeritus of Matson Navigation Co. and Alexander & Baldwin Inc., Pfeiffer was well-known in the maritime industry and the Hawai'i business and social communities.

She christened two Matson vessels, the SS Maui and MV R.J. Pfeiffer, both still active in the company fleet.

Pfeiffer was a volunteer at schools her children attended and at a children's theater in Honolulu, where, as chairwoman, she wrote, directed and acted in plays. Later, she volunteered to manage a high school bookstore in California.

Her volunteer activity also included manuscript projects at the Bishop Museum Library, and as a board member of the Hawaii Opera Theater.

Pfeiffer is survived by her husband; brother, Robert Worts; daughters, Margaret Hughes, Elizabeth Tumbas and Kathleen Pfeiffer; and son, George Pfeiffer. All are in California.

Arrangements are by The Neptune Society; no services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to Hawaii Opera Theater, 987 Waimanu St., Honolulu, HI 96814-3319.