Mary (Weston) Shaffer

Mary was born in Boone, Iowa on April 17, 1930 to Tillie and Clarence Dixon. She married Jack Weston in 1949 and they had three children: Vicki, Carla, and Jon. It was the 50’s and she was a savvy young mother who raised the three of us dancing to the sounds of Pat Boone, and as her brilliant backup singers to Doris Day’s Que Sera Sera.

Mom was a kitchen goddess. The Weston children were never served Tatter Tot Casserole, no not a chance; she would appear apron clad from the kitchen toting Egg Foo Young, Chicken Cordon Blue, Veal Marsala … we traveled the world sitting together around our dining room table. I once asked for fish sticks and was escorted from her kitchen.

We moved to Des Moines in the early 60’s and eventually mom became a Travel Agent, so for the next twenty years she traveled extensively, learned to play golf, and enjoyed the loves of her life…her grandchildren. After retirement she moved to Gold Canyon, Arizona, played more golf and spent time with her daughter Carla and her family.

But right in the middle of having a very nice life, she was reintroduced to Jim Shaffer, an Iowa native who happened to be the best man in a friend’s wedding in 1948 in which mom was the maid of honor. Jim says he fell in love at ‘hello’. They married in 2000, built a home in Sun City Grand and lived life to the fullest with Jim playing tennis and mom playing golf until it was time to return to Iowa. They moved into The Lodge of Ashworth where they have made many lasting friendships.

Mary passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on the morning of September 1st. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Carla, her parents, Clarence and Tillie, and niece, Marla Dixon.

Those left to miss her are many: her husband, James Shaffer; daughter, Vicki Colby (Charles); son, Jon Weston (Susan Horner); step-daughter, Debbie Shaffer (Scott); grandsons, Chas Colby (Katie), Sam Acheson III (Amanda), Jay Bachman (Emily), Alex Colby, and Max Colby (soon- to- be wife Kati Christensen); granddaughters, Lisi Harkins (Chad), Summer Allen (Mike), and Courtney Everhart (Yancy). Also surviving are G.G.’s eleven GREATS, Ethan, Michael, Liam, Carla, Charli, Adele, Quincy, Burkli, Yancy Jr., Cameron, and Ellowyn; her two brothers, Clarence (Marjorie) and Arthur Dixon; many nieces and nephews; and very dear friends, Gail and Gary Rhodes.

We would like to thank Dr. Ailey Brehmer and Dr. Robert Bender for their expert care while giving mom dignity, grace, and quality of life these last few years. And the entire staff at Fountain West and UnityPoint Hospice for their loving care and compassion of Mary and her entire family.

There will be a private family burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, September 11th at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, with a celebration of a ‘life well lived’ following at the Lodge of Ashworth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UnityPoint Hospice.