Obituary of Bernice Shaffer

Bernice T. Shaffer "Loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great- Grandmother" Olean- Bernice T. Shaffer, formerly of Fulton Street, passed away Monday (May 11, 2009) at Heritage Village, in Gerry NY, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. Born November 13, 1930 in West Valley, NY she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Martha Schumacher Feldman. On August 12, 1950, she married Elton Shaffer, who predeceased her on December 22, 1988. Bernice was a graduate and Valedictorian of the West Valley Central School class of 1948. She was employed for many years for the City of Olean, where she worked in the City Clerks Office, retiring in 1991. She was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church, Olean Historical Society, the Friends Forever Group and the Book Club of Friends. She also volunteered her time for Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Shaffer enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to visit her family, including a special trip to Germany to visit her granddaughter. She had many interests and always enjoyed learning something new. She loved the theater, gardening, genealogy and birds. Bernice took pleasure in reading, education, poetry and especially music, where she learned to play the piano by ear, and loved sharing her musical and singing talents at family gatherings. She was a friend to animals and cared for many special pets in their owner's homes. Those left to treasure her memory, are her six children George M. (Sandy McCarthy)Shaffer of Cuba, Elton Lee (Paula) Shaffer of Portsmouth, NH, James R. (Julia) Shaffer of Olean, Mary E. (Michael R.) Ellison of Olean, Jennie L. (Michael) Snyder of Jamestown, Martha (John) Foster of Portville; a sister Edna (John) Boni of Olean; 15 grandchildren Darick (Suzanne) Shaffer of Allegany, Kristen (Rob Scott) Shaffer of Allegany, Whitney Shaffer-Rais of Washington, D. C., Graham Shaffer-Rais of Portsmouth, NH, Jeannette (Jason) Putt of Okinawa, Japan, Jamie (Matt) Weatherford of Ringgold, VA, Jillian Shaffer of Olean, Janelle Shaffer of Olean, Tim M. Ellison of Olean, Jeff M. Ellison of Olean, Kimberly T. Snyder of Dallas, TX, Nicholas M. Snyder of Jamestown, Lanie (Todd Roulo) Foster of Allegany, Marcus (Ashley Peters) Foster of Portville, Miranda Foster of Portville; many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved spending time with. Besides her husband she was predeceased by 3 sisters Irma Feldman, Inez Abbott, Ellen Ziolko; 2 brothers Ralph Feldman and Arnold Feldman. Private funeral services will be held on Wednesday (May 13, 2009) at the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor of St. Mary of the Angels Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville. Memorials if desired may be made to the Olean Public Library 134 N 2nd Street, Olean NY 14760.