Emily Shaffer

Bold, Determined, and Unconventional - Champion for Children and the Underdog

Emily W Shaffer lived a life of giving to her children and grandchildren. She was always careful and considerate never offending others and creating rapor with a well placed joke. True to her Christian Science upbringing, she never complained and always looked on the bright side. She passed away on April 28, 2017 at the age of 91 after an emergency trip to Kettering Medical Center. She was born July 26, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late George and Emily White.

Wild, free, and ahead of her time. Emily White Shaffer grew up in the small town of Valparaiso Indiana. Graduating from high school in 1943, she struck out on her own to the big City of Chicago for college. During summer break Emily and her best friend Dort bleached their brunette hair and traveled across country. Going by train and stopping along the way for waitresses work. They called themselves "The Two Blondes from Chicago".

While working tirelessly and paying her own way she obtained her Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts in 1951 from Purdue University. Sponsored by La Rabida Children's hospital, she completed her Masters in Social Work at the University of Chicago when it was rare for women to even attend college. Emily worked with terminally ill children and to help place orphans in adoptive homes. Her passions to help children and be an independent woman drove her to succeed. She founded a girl scout troop in Chicago.

In her early 30's on a double date she met Melvin W Shaffer. After a short courtship they married. They moved to Columbus Ohio where Emily was proud in her role as the South Side Preschool Director. Her goal was to revamp the head start programs across the city.

After her two daughters were born Emily left her career behind to become a full time homemaker. She diverted all her passion for her career to her daughters. Leaving the wild, free, and independent part of herself forever as so many women did in the late 1950's. She was a devoted mother who encouraged finger painting and dress. She was adamant in scheduling musical, artistic, and athletic lessons. After moving to Dayton Ohio she again started a girl scout troop and is remembered by many former troop members.

As the years went by Emily found herself with grandchildren. Again, she was very devoted with encouraging free play, swimming lessons, water balloons, and trips to the park to feed the ducks. She wanted her grandchildren to have every possible advantage with lessons and activities. She was patient, kind, and nonjudgmental. Able to ignore the messy byproducts of play and understanding of teenage rebellions. She enjoyed sending notes with words of encouragement to those she loved.

In the 1980s she pursued a real estate license and worked for a short time as a real estate agent.

In her last months, she enjoyed visiting the ark and creation museums and especially enjoyed the wegerzyn garden center.

Emily enjoyed 56 years of marriage and was preceded in death by her husband Melvin W. Shaffer. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Frances Fogg; brother, Robert White. Emily is survived by her two daughters, Jill (Robert Yost) Shaffer PsyD, Diane S. Anderson Aerospace Engineer; grandchildren, Amy (Trey) Hoskinson, Melanie Yost, Kimber Yost, Anna Anderson, Ansel Anderson, Zachary Anderson; and Niece Karen (Ronnie) Michael as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

She will be deeply missed. Donations can be made in her name to La Rabida Hospital at 6501 S Promontory Dr, Chicago IL 60649.