Roselee "Bernice" Schaeffer

Roselee “Bernice” Schaeffer, age 92, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2020. She was born November 8, 1927 in Abilene, Kansas to Vera and Herbert Heller. Bernice graduated high school in 1945 and began teaching the same year. She was the first teacher to achieve a teaching license at the age of 17. As the middle child of seven siblings, she learned to be very patient, determined and persistent. Bernice married Cecil Chamberlin in 1946 and had two children, daughter Cinda Lou and son Gary Lee. The family moved to Colorado in 1955. In 1967, Bernice worked as a bookkeeper with a law firm where she advanced into examining titles. After studying for just two weeks in 1968, she passed the test to obtain her Real Estate License. Sadly, in May of 1970, Cecil Chamberlin passed away. In 1972, Bernice got her Real Estate Brokers License and began her career selling real estate. Bernice was loved and respected by her peers and created many lifelong friendships. In loving her profession, she found the love of her life, Arnold Schaeffer, and married him in 1974. Bernice was successful as a Realtor for over 40 years and had numerous achievements. She served on the Board of Directors for North Suburban Realtors, was elected President of Sales Professionals International and received President’s Club and Sales awards for several decades. Bernice was the first woman in Colorado to be awarded the Realtor of The Year for The North Suburban Board. She was always grateful for finding her niche in the real estate business but missed it when she retired at the age of 87. Bernice’s hobbies were watching football (uninterrupted), going to church, cooking, reading and spending time with her family. Bernice was a truly devoted wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend. She will be remembered for her kindness, empathy and compassion and will be profoundly missed as her greatest gift to her family and friends was her PURE LOVE and beautiful heart. She is survived by her sisters Dorothy and Ruth, daughter Cinda Ide, grandchildren Brandon, Dione, Kelly, Aaron and Tim, many great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Gary Lee Chamberlin, her only son, passed away February 7, 2020 and is now reunited with his mom and dad. Help us celebrate Bernice’s life at 10:30AM on March 9, 2020 at Fort Logan Cemetery located at: 4400 West Kenyon Ave. Denver, Colorado 80236 Staging Area B. Visitation with the family will follow services. Please stay and visit with all her family and friends to share the greatest moments of her life.