Maureen (Wisell) Pfister, 64, of Tanya Drive, died peacefully and went home to join the Lord on Friday, September 30, 2011.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 40 years, Joseph J. Pfister III; a son, Michael J. Pfister of Somerville – whom she adored; her beloved mother, Carmela M. Licciardone, a resident of the Christopher House in Worcester; a brother, Robert D. Wisell of Spencer; her nephews, Jonathan and Paul Wisell, both of Spencer; a sister-in-law, Cathy Connolly and her husband Joe of Harwich; a brother-in-law, Roderick Cashes of Clinton; and numerous cousins and their families. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Donald H. Wisell who died in 2005, and lived 10 years in Shrewsbury before moving to Holden in 2000.

Maureen was a graduate of Commerce High School and worked over 20 years for UMass Memorial Healthcare, on all campuses including the Shaw Building, Guaranty Bank Building and ending at the Hahnemann Campus working in medical billing and data processing where she eventually retired due to illness. She had previously worked many years for the Worcester Diabetes Association on Grove Street also in medical billing.

She enjoyed nothing better than getting together with family and friends to share many laughs and good food. She always looked forward to those get-togethers with her girlfriends to catch up on the news. She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed watching birds and the feeders from her sun porch with her morning cup of coffee. To all that knew her, she will be missed. Maureen was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson.

Her family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Edminston, Beth, Pam, Sue and all of the staff at the UMass Memorial Cancer Center who made her struggle with cancer more tolerable.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 3, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 4, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Flowers may be sent, or donations in Maureen’s memory to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester, MA 01606.