PORTLAND — Elfriede Magarete Schafer Bamford, of South Portland, passed away Dec. 8, after a brief illness.

She was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, on Aug. 13, 1927. She was the daughter of Magarete (Euler) and Philipp Schafer.

Although she grew up in the shadow of World War II, she fondly remembered her childhood. She had wonderful memories of spending summers with her sister at their grandparents’ farm in the country. They fed the animals, played in the fields and swam in the pond. This was such a unique experience for two girls from the city.

Elfriede met her future husband, Guy W. Bamford, a U.S. Army soldier, while he was stationed in her hometown of Wiesbaden. Even though the times were difficult, they fell in love and married in 1948. Their daughter, Patty, was born in 1950.

In 1954, they moved to America. Upon arriving at the train station in Maine, Elfriede was surprised to learn that the large group of people crowded around the platform in the wee morning hours was her extended family.

The Bamford family welcomed Elfriede, Guy and Patty warmly by opening their homes to them until they settled in a home of their own. Since it was six years before she would make a return visit to her hometown in Germany, Guy’s family became her own. Elfriede, Guy and Patty lived in Livermore Falls before moving to South Portland.

Over the years, Elfriede worked at various retail stores before establishing a 30-year career at Shaw’s Supermarkets. She became proficient in creating beautiful floral arrangements and attracted a large customer base that enjoyed her displays. Her co-workers became her lifelong friends and they continued to meet for lunch every Friday well into their retirement years.

Her husband Guy predeceased her in 1988.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Bamford-Crilley and her son-in-law, Tim Crilley, of South Portland; her granddaughter, Tracy Stewart Towle and husband, Jason Towle, along with the love of her life, her great-granddaughter, Jillian M. Towle of Augusta. In Germany, she is survived by her sister, Erna Fox; and her brother, Helmut Schafer and his wife, Ingrid. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mildred Robinson of Monmouth; and her brother-in-law, Robert Bamford of Fayette; along with many nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by Winston and Sydney (her daughter’s dog and cat), especially Winston who still waits for her for his morning walk. She also leaves behind a large circle of German friends who were a very special part of her life. She was fortunate to live in such a supportive neighborhood. Our thanks to Mean, Marc and Lance for making sure she was always taken care of. Thank-you to the BBRGs for your continued love and support for Elfriede, Patty and the rest of the family.

Many thanks to the amazing nurses who took care of Elfriede during her brief stay at Mercy Hospital. You are truly angels.

For further information and to sign Elfriede’s guest book, please visit www.advantageportland.com.