Anne Marguerite Shafer

Anne Whalen Shafer, age 90 passed away October 2, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. She was born in Memphis, TN to Paul S. Whalen and Marguerite Bonelli Whalen. Mrs. Shafer’s life was dedicated to the Memphis and Shelby County Community. She had been a lifelong community activist, serving as Chairman of the Memphis City Beautiful Commission in 1964 - 1966, Panel of American Women, President of the Memphis Chapter of the League of Women Voters, she served in Church Women United and was head of the Memphis Chapter of the United Nations Association. Mrs. Shafer was instrumental in the development and naming of Martyr's Park while Chairman of the City Beautiful Commission. She also served as a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention in 1965. In 1966, Mrs. Shafer was honored by Lady Bird Johnson as one of 9 Democratic “Women Doer’s” in the United States for her efforts in city beautification. Mrs. Shafer also served as President of the Colonial Acres Neighborhood Association. Mrs. Shafer was an author, and recently self-published her memoir, Memphis Instruments of Peace. In April, 2013, Mrs. Shafer was honored by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission for her work in civil rights. Anne Whalen (Shafer) was elected Miss UT Junior College of 1947, in Martin, TN. She later graduated from Memphis State in 1982.

Mrs. Shafer was preceded in death by her parents, by one sister Carolyn Moore, and by two brothers, Pat and Paul Whalen. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Robert W. Shafer, by one son Robert (Teresa) W. Shafer Jr. of Dallas, TX and by one grandson David A. Shafer of Fairfax, VA. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who helped care for her.

A memorial service will be conducted at Woodland Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 1:00 P.M., a reception and visitation will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Woodland Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 5217 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. Online condolences and floral offerings may be made by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net.