Elizabeth Anne Puffinbarger

It is with great sadness that the family of Anne Puffinbarger announces her passing on August 27, 2025. She was 89 years old. Elizabeth Anne Puffinbarger was born October 1, 1935, in Ada, Oklahoma to parents, Elizabeth and Rev. Leonard Cronin. She was the only child of Leonard and Elizabeth, who were Methodist clergy team and as such, lived and attended grade school in many different Oklahoma towns. She graduated from Will Rogers high school in Tulsa. She attended Oklahoma City University, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta sorority. After receiving her degree in education while teaching in Woodward, she was introduced to her future husband, Loy Puffinbarger. They married in December of 1962 in Fairview, OK in a service officiated by her father. Taking advantage of a Science Foundation Grant, Anne and Loy both earned their master’s degrees in education at Oklahoma State University.
Beginning in her youth she was a member of the Internal Order of Rainbow for Girls and as an adult, she was a 72 year member of the Order of Eastern Star where she held the office of Worthy Matron in 2010. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She cherished the relationships formed in those organizations. Anne loved teaching and specifically loved children. Even at an advanced age, she was often found on the floor playing with toys and pretending in every imaginable way with her grandchildren. Their home was always open for babysitting, but it was much more enriching for the children than just that. When her father was very seriously injured, she relentlessly and tenaciously cared for him in the home for nearly a decade and a half. She was a tireless caregiver. Even 2 weeks ago at Teal Creek, she was constantly trying to shepherd “lost” residents to their rooms. Some were even actually lost. For decades, she was an ardent supporter and served as a trustee at The Meadows Center for Opportunity, a sheltered workshop. She was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church where about 60 years ago, she and Loy started the Emmanuel Sunday school class. Around 2008, she and Loy created a group home in Edmond for intellectually disabled adults and shortly thereafter they founded the Fretzpark Homes, Inc. The not-for-profit organization now employs close to 300 persons and serves scores of clients with intellectual disabilities. Most remarkably, he and Anne could always find time to babysit grandchildren and help family and friends in need. Anne was preceded in death by her husband Loy, by her parents, Elizabeth and Leonard Cronin. Anne is survived by her son, William Puffinbarger and spouse, Nikola, daughter, Leah Puffinbarger, and daughter, Belinda (Renee) and spouse Thomas Burnett, grandchildren, Christian Burnett, Aaron Puffinbarger, Daniel Burnett, Seth Puffinbarger, Samuel Puffinbarger and Cailtlin Burnett and many nieces and nephews.

In leiu of flowers, the family would like you consider donating to FretzPark Homes Assisted Living.

Public Visitation at Matthews Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 5pm-8pm. Family will be present to greet guests.

Services to be held at First United Methodist Church, 305 E Hurd St, Edmond, OK 73034, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 2pm, followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.