Mary Elizabeth Shaffer

Mary Elizabeth (Brockhaus) Shaffer August 6, 1919 – October 29, 2011. Mary was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. She lived a long and full life and is now in Heaven with her husband Jim and her sons Nick, Matt and Bob.

Mary was born August 6, 1919 in Humphrey, Nebraska to Joseph and Rose Brockhaus. She was one of eight children. When Mary was three the family moved to Mount Angel, Oregon where she grew up and graduated from high school. Mary then moved to Los Angeles to study nursing and get her RN Degree. There she met, fell in love, and married James Harwood Shaffer, on Jan 2, 1942. Jim and Mary had five wonderful boys, Matt, Nick, Tom, Bob and Jim. They had 40 joyful years together before Jim passed away suddenly in 1982. Mary pursued their retirement plans and moved to Highland Springs Village in Beaumont, CA. Mary quickly became active in the local community life where, for 11 years, she volunteered for Hospice in Banning. She was also very active in the Ladies Golf Club, the Women’s Club and the Singles Club.

In her later years what Mary loved most was her expanding family of great grandchildren. She loved the yearly family reunions at her house with all the babies. Mary loved taking pictures of all the children and displayed them all over her house. Mary enjoyed every turn and bump in the road of life. She loved everyone with grace and kindness that you could feel when you were with her. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Mary is survived by her two sisters, Dot and Ellie, two sons, Tom and Jim, four daughters/sons-in –law, Jean, MaryDee, Marlynn and Bob, along with 15 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church 1234 Palm Avenue, Beaumont. Private family Inurnment.

Arrangements entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont.