Mary Lee Shaffer

MARY LEE KENNEY SHAFFER, 90, of Beaver, W.Va., died May 19, 2016, in the Villages at Greystone, her home for seven years.

She was born February 21, 1926, in Alton, Ill., the daughter of the late John H. and Ruth Catherine Glassbrenner Kenney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, John William Kenney and an infant granddaughter, Margaret Palmer Shaffer.

She attended Charleston, W. Va. public schools and graduated from West Virginia University, where 70 years ago she met her future husband and best friend, Harry G. “Gus” Shaffer, Jr., who survives her. They were married on August 20, 1949. Their loving devotion to each other is an example to all who knew them. Throughout their marriage, they were each other’s favorite companion.

In 1950, they settled in Madison, W. Va., where they raised their family. Over the years, Mary Lee volunteered regularly in her church and community as a homeroom mother, scout leader, Sunday School teacher at the Madison Baptist Church, and hospital aide. She was known for her dedication to her family, unfailing kindness, and generous hospitality to all. Following Gus’s retirement, they lived in Vero Beach, Fla. and at Glade Springs in Daniels, W. Va., their home bases for extensive motor home travels that included many Habitat for Humanity volunteer work camps. A natural hostess, she loved gathering family and friends together wherever she and Gus happened to be.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Susan (Tom) Gilpin of Huntington, W.Va. and Ann (Jim) Bunch of Houston, Tex., and a son, Harry G. “Chip” Shaffer, III (Sarah) of Madison, W. Va. She was beloved 'Mimi' to eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Jacob Bunch (April) of Houston, Tex., and their son Jackson; David Bunch (Shannon) of Chapel Hill, N.C. and daughters Sophia and Lilly Ann; Katherine Gilpin Skahen (Martin) of Syracuse, N. Y. and children Caroline and Charles; Andrew Gilpin (Allison Bean) of New York, N. Y.; Ann Gilpin Lentell (Ryan) of Natick, Mass., and Thomas; Harry G. “Gus” Shaffer, IV of Morgantown; Carl Shaffer of Morgantown; and William Shaffer of Huntington; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who love and admire her.

Her family wishes to acknowledge and thank Pam Sadzewicz and the caregivers at Greystone who have helped make the family’s last years with Mary Lee so pleasant.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 21 . The family will receive friends and family at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary of the Madison Baptist Church, 426 Second Street, Madison, W.Va. The funeral service will begin at noon with the Rev. Jim Butcher officiating.

Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Park, Madison. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is assisting the family. In thanksgiving for Mary Lee’s life and generous spirit, the family invites memorial contributions to the Boone County Community Foundation, P. O. Box 38, Madison, WV 25130.