Dede Schaffner

Dede Schaffner, 84, of Longwood, Florida passed away on January 27, 2023. She was born in Peterborough, New Hampshire on October 24, 1938. Dede graduated from Clearwater High School and received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Education from the University of Central Florida. She was married to Bill Schaffner on September 6, 1958 until he passed away in 1996.

She is survived by: son Bill (Wendy) Schaffner and daughters Debra (Kent) Smith and Leslie Kleeb. Grandchildren: Kevin (Ashley) Schaffner, Chris (Ashley) Schaffner, Kaylie (Alejandro) Quintero, Kyle (Kiera) Smith, Austin Kleeb and Ryan Kleeb. Great-grandchildren: Caleb and Bennett Schaffner, Allie Schaffner, Brayden Smith and soon-to-arrive granddaughter Baby Quintero. Siblings: David (Pat) Flemings, Debby Eason and Gary Flemings. She was predeceased by her husband Bill and her brother Dick.

Dede had a lifetime of service in her community, focusing on youth, people in need and education. She served on the Board of Directors for various organizations:

• Rotary Club (past president and Paul Harris Fellowship recipient)

• Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools

• Arts Alive (founder)

• Leadership Seminole

• Seminole State College Foundation (trustee and co-founder of the Dream Auction)

• Seminole Youth Commission

• Boys and Girls Club / Midway Safe Harbor

• Embrace Families (support for abused families and foster children)

• Seminole County Prayer Breakfast

• League of Women Voters

• Suburban Republican Women’s Club

• Steinway Society of Central Florida

In 1973 Dede founded the Dividends School Volunteer Program in Seminole County with 17 volunteers. Since then the program has received state recognition, 4 national awards, 4 Walt Disney Community Service awards and now has over 24,000 volunteers. She was also an elected official in Seminole County having been elected and served on the School Board for 16 years advocating for youth and education.

She was involved with many other children and youth programs:

• Co-founded Arts Alive in Seminole County to highlight the visual and performing arts in the Seminole County Public Schools and to raise money for the fine arts programs throughout the county

• Championed the Midway Safe Harbor Program, a gymnasium facility built with the cooperation of business, government and private donors to provide a safe harbor and recreation center in the low-income Midway area

• Started the Rotary Rising Achievers Program (RAP) to recognize two seniors from each of the high schools in Seminole County who have had to overcome obstacles or challenges in order to graduate.

• P.T.A.

• Red Bag Food Campaign (Founder) – providing food on the weekends for children in need

• Disney’s Teacherrific Program judge

• Kids House – a safe place to break the cycle of violence and end child abuse

• Her concern for high school dropouts prompted her to start the Compact Program with mentors for at-risk students. (Now Take Stock in Children program)

• Founded the Back-to-School Fair which provides backpacks with school supplies for children unable to start school with needed supplies.

Dede was also involved with several groups focused on making a positive impact in our communities:

• Served on the Foundation for Seminole Community College where she and her late husband co-founded the Dream Auction to raise money for community college students.

• Private Business Association of Seminole

• CLEO (Community Leaders and Elected Officials)

• Westmonte Community Center

• Seminole Cultural Arts Council

• Served ten years on the Seminole Community College Board of Trustees

• Her support of the Arts and Music in Seminole County led to the naming of a Band Festival in her honor

Dede is a role model for her family, friends and the community in helping to elevate those in need. She modeled her life according to Luke 12:48: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given.” Those touched by Dede will remember how she positively impacted their lives long into the future. As she often stated “Believe in what you do, do what you believe in.”

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Northland Church, 522 Dog Track Road, Longwood, Florida. Livestream information to follow. A reception will follow the service at the church followed by a private interment service at Glen Haven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to the Dede Schaffner Follow Your Dreams Scholarship through the Seminole County Public Schools Foundation. The link is shown below:

https://donate.onecause.com/dedeschaffnerscholarship/donate

Donations can also be mailed to SCPS Foundation at 4oo E. Lake Mary Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773 or call 407-320-0181. Please specify on your check or when you call that it is for the Dede Schaffner Follow Your Dreams Scholarship.

For those unable to join the service in person, a virtual link is available, https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-service-for-dede-schaffner-dzvvsqpmjbh43oa3xsmd