Lt Col Joan A. Shaffer

Lieutenant Colonel Shaffer died on February 25, 2012 at Rosewood Health Center in Raleigh, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, John R. Matheson and Elsie A. Matheson of the Bronx, NYC and by her loving husband Lt Col John W. Shaffer of Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her daughter, Colonel Louise DeWilder and her husband Lt Col James DeWilder; grandson, USAF Academy Cadet John A. DeWilder; brother, Douglas A. Matheson and wife Debby; nieces, Brandy Brown and Lizbeth Matheson of Raleigh; beloved niece Sara Whitworth, great niece, Kyra Whitworth of Wylie, TX; nephew, Christian P. Matheson of Nashville, TN; aunt, Margie Martin of Fla.; and many wonderful friends she considered family.

Joan graduated from Fordham School of Nursing, Bronx, NYC and was an honor graduate of the USAF School of Flight Nursing and also honor graduate of the Nursing Service Administration School, and Margaret Hague Obstetrical Nursing. She had 19 assignments in 22 years of Air Force service, including Chief Nurse at USAF Hospitals in U-Tapao, Thailand, 1972-1973; MacDill AFB, FL, 1974-1975, Langley AFB, VA, 1975-1977. She served on The Human Relations Committee of Dorthea Dix and the NC Barber Board.

She was a life member of The Military Officers Association of America, charter member of Society of Air Force Nurses, member of the Air Force Association, Seniors of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Capital Area Republican Club and a charter member of the RDU/USO where she has served since 2004.

A memorial mass and celebration of her life will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday, March 22, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Rd., Raleigh NC. The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday, March 21, from 7:00-9:00pm, at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh NC. Graveside Services with Military Honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, May 23, at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flower donations may be made to the Society of Air Force Nurses, PO Box 681026, San Antonio, TX 78268 or RDU/USO, PO Box 91443, Raleigh, NC 27675. Condolences and special memories can be sent to www.brownwynne.com

“What matters? Not our memories but the memories that live in the hearts of those who loved you”