Steffi R Masur

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1924 to Ernst and Ilse Rosenbaum, Steffi grew up in a loving environment surrounded by adoring family. She treasured visits with her father to the newly opened Berlin Pergamon Museum and attended the local elementary school with her younger sister, Eva.

In 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power she was no longer allowed to attend her school and transferred to a Jewish school. Her father, a physician, was only allowed to treat Jewish patients and the family suffered the indignities and restrictions imposed on Jews in Germany. With restrictions and rampant anti-semitism, Ernst realized that the family would need to emigrate and determined that the United States would be safer than anywhere in Europe. Ernst traveled to New York City to determine if he would be permitted to practice medicine. Ilse came next to establish a household, leaving Steffi and Eva in the care of their maternal grandparents. Soon thereafter, Steffi, age 11, and Eva, age 6, traveled eight days alone by boat, the SS Bremen, to New York to join their parents. Much later in life she noted that these experiences impacted her development and outlook. She had poignant memories of watching from afar as her old world deteriorated, as well as trauma from knowing family and her favorite childhood friend did not survive.

She arrived in New York City in 1936 and settled with her family on West 86th Street. Ernst lived there until his death in 1966 and Ilse resided until 1990. After continuing her elementary school education, Steffi attended Hunter College High School and then Hunter College from which she graduated in 1946 with a degree in Journalism.

After college she held various positions in journalism, advertising and radio. She married Walter Mayerfeld in 1949 and moved to Chicago where she was the midwestern correspondent for a candy industry publication. Their first child, Russ, was born in 1953 and they moved to Evanston where a daughter, Pam, was born in 1958.

The early years in Evanston were busy raising her family and working with local charities. She was active in the school PTA where she sought to end the atomic bomb drills. Her passion was her membership and activities with the Peace and World Affairs Center whose mission was to end the Vietnam War.

Her marriage to Walter Mayerfeld ended in divorce in 1967. She married Wolfgang Masur, a widower with a daughter, Jackie. Steffi raised Jackie as her own child from the age of 13. Steffi and Wolfgang’s marriage of 21 years was filled with wonderful travel adventures and many happy family gatherings. As the children grew older, Steffi earned a Masters in Library Science from Rosary College. She worked at Martha Washington Hospital as a medical librarian for many years; a role she greatly enjoyed. Wolfgang passed away in 1988.

Throughout life Steffi was passionate about classical music and art. She spent many summers in Aspen, Colorado, attending the Aspen Music Festival. She was a founding member of the Chicago Lyric Opera and supported the Chicago Symphony as a subscriber for 50 seasons. As a widow Steffi continued to travel extensively, often to Europe but also Egypt and Mexico.

Steffi became a docent for the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University where she thoroughly enjoyed her time showing visitors the treasures within. She loved poetry and for many years participated in Northwestern’s Master Class in Poetry where she met with other enthusiasts each week to share their own poems and study those of noted poets.

Steffi was able to remain in her home, thanks to the loving care of her dedicated caregiver, Cathy Reyna. The family is grateful for Cathy’s care and devotion to Steffi.

Steffi was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Eva, her husband, Wolfgang Masur and her step-son, David Masur.

Survivors include: son Russ (Anne) Mayerfeld, daughter Pam Mayerfeld (Rick Hallsted), daughter Jackie (Scott) Finn, and step-son Richard (Bernadette) Masur. She is also survived by many grandchildren and step-grandchildren - Kate Mayerfeld, Chris Mayerfeld, Kristin (Brandon) O’Hollaren, Kimberley Hallsted, Zach Finn, Jason (Chelsea) Finn, David (Annie Leary) Masur, Matt (Jennifer Walton) Masur, Andy (Dana Lee) Masur, Drew (Colie) Masur and Jesse (Marci) Masur as well as several great-grandchildren.

A private burial was held on June 26, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steffi’s honor to the Lyric Opera of Chicago (Lyricopera.org)