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Mary F. Shafer

1927 - 2021

 

Mary F. Shafer
June 24, 1927 – May 17, 2021

Mary F. Shafer passed away on May 17, 2021 in Chandler, Arizona after a brief illness. During her last few days, she was surrounded by close family and friends from Chandler, AZ as well as from Colorado, Alabama, and California. She passed away at her home for the past four years, Brookdale Chandler Ray Road Assisted Living, attended to by their compassionate staff and excellent hospice medical professionals.

Mary was born in Keokuk, Iowa on June 24, 1927. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College with a major in education. She married Harlan Shafer in June 1949. They had two children, Rebecca and Grant. Mary and Harlan lived in Klemme, Iowa where Harlan was Superintendent of the Klemme School district. Mary taught Kindergarten. She enjoyed working with her young students and helping them develop key learning and social skills. She viewed this as laying a foundation for their future success. In 1959, Mary and Harlan moved to Worland, Wyoming where Harlan became the Principal of Worland High School. In 1964, Mary and Harlan moved to southern California. They bought a home in Covina, California. Harlan taught at Charter Oak High School, and Mary taught Junior High School Science in the Bonita School district. They both taught until retirement in 1983.

Mary and Harlan loved the outdoors. They spent many summers in the Wyoming mountains and streams, living in their comfortable trailer hitched to their truck. After teaching each year, they looked forward to driving to Wyoming for a long vacation of outdoor serenity and beauty. Harlan was an avid fisherman. Both Mary and Harlan loved square dancing. They enjoyed dancing regularly and acquired an extensive square dancing wardrobe in the process. They loved square dancing for the exercise, fun, and friendships that were by products of this sport/hobby. When they both retired from teaching, Mary and Harlan sold their California home. They purchased and moved to a beautiful home in Sheridan, Wyoming so they could more readily enjoy their love of the outdoors, mountains, and fishing streams.

Mary loved music. She sang in the choir at Covina Methodist church for many years. After Harlan’s death in 1991, Mary spent six months living with her daughter and her family. She then went to her home in Wyoming to live with her son and his wife. Tiring of the harsh winters, she moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 1993, where she had some relatives. She bought a home there. She continued singing as a choir member at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. She was also part of the Chordaires Singing Group and participated in a number of public performances. In addition, she was an active participant in the women’s circle organization where she made good friends. After retirement, Mary also spent time in California during her sixties and seventies visiting her daughter, Rebecca, and Rebecca’s family. She also sang in her daughter’s Rolling Hills United Methodist Church choir. Mary made many friends through her involvement in choir and the Methodist Women’s Circle groups. During her sixties and seventies, she traveled regularly with friends including trips to Europe, Alaska, and South America including passage through the Panama Canal. In keeping with her love of music, Mary learned to play the organ in her seventies.

Mary was a kind person. Friends were attracted to her smile, interest in others, and Christian values. She passed these values to her children. They were also passed to her grandchildren. Mary was an organized person. She enjoyed having a nice wardrobe, and she was an immaculate housekeeper. Both she and her husband Harlan were collectors of duck art and various duck mementos in keeping with their love of the outdoors.

Mary is survived by her children Rebecca (husband Ernie) from California and Grant (wife Margie and daughter Lori) from Alabama, her sister, Joyce (husband Ralph/children Ryan and Liesel) from Colorado, and brother, James from Iowa. She has two grandchildren: Craig (wife Jessica) from southern California and Christina (husband Aaron) from southern California. Mary also has three great grandchildren: Chloe, Mila, and Kona. Donations may be sent to Sun Lakes United Methodist Church care of the Mary Shafer Choir Development Fund. Mary’s ashes will be interred with her husband in the Veteran’s Riverside National Cemetery near March Air Force Base, California.

In the care of - Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202; phone 480-838-56394


source: © 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC; Dignity Memorial

 

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