Born to a Jewish family in Los Angeles, California in 1926,[1] Pfaelzer received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1949 and a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law in 1957.

She was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 1978, and received her commission the next day.

During his first trial as a youth, she had Mitnick sent to solitary confinement because the prosecutor convinced her he could "Call NORAD, whistle into the phone and launch missiles.

"[5] On May 14, 2015, Pfaelzer died in Los Angeles after serving on the federal bench for nearly 40 years.

presi[ding] with brilliance, analytical rigor, practicality, wisdom, grace and courage.