Suzanne Theresa Shaffer

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Suzanne Theresa Shaffer passed away peacefully. A native of Washington, DC, she was the daughter of George and Betty Shaffer and the fourth of five children. She attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (Class of 1964) and entered the Holy Cross Convent in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she remained until 1969. She dedicated her career to service, beginning in the non-profit sector with Muscular Dystrophy Association, then transitioning to journalism at The American Spectator. She later served as Assistant to Jim Nicholson, former U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs, former chair of the RNC and former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.

A woman of deep faith, Suzanne was a devoted member of The John Carroll Society and her Spiritual Classics group. She cherished her family, never missed a birthday, and was known as a loving and thoughtful aunt.

She is survived by her brother, Robert (Christine), sister Anne Shaffer Harrell, sister-in-law Veronica Shaffer Yeatman, nieces Kathryn Dooling (Leo), Mary Beth Harper (Tim) and Connie Mitchell (Christopher), nephews Gerry Shaffer (Renee), Fr. Greg Shaffer, George Gnatek and Robert Shaffer (Rebecca) and several grandnephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, brother George Shaffer Jr, sister Mary Shaffer Gnatek and nephew Michael Gnatek.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Visitation, Darnestown, MD on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Viewing will begin at 9am, followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 am, and a reception after. Interment will be private.