Carol Shaffer

Carol Shaffer, 88, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026. Born in Erie, PA, she was the daughter of the late Theodore A. and Julie Ada Reinhold Kane. She would tell you she lived her dream as the beloved and treasured wife to her husband, Bill for 57 years. She treasured the years she spent raising her 4 children, doting on her 10 grandchildren, and finally meeting her first great-grandchild. A Christian Education major and graduate of West Va Wesleyan College, Carol became a Deaconess at her home church in Wesleyville, PA before becoming housemother to a group of runaway teenage girls at the Henderson Settlement in Hendersonville, KY. She cherished this calling for the love and faith she could give and share with these young women. After starting her family, Carol helped establish a Christian preschool at Christ United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA, and served on a committee responsible for setting the first state guidelines for public preschools. As preschool Director for over a decade, Carol worked with teachers, parents, and children daily, to provide a caring and learning environment for her, and many other families' children. Carol was active in school leadership during her kid’s education, serving as PTA president, and playing an engaged and guiding role in her children’s education and development. Throughout her life, Carol provided her children, and later her grandchildren with precious advice and encouragement to face challenges and live life. Carol also served her Lord through her culinary talents, cooking for shut-ins, neighbors, church events, school events, those with illness and just to share her love. She filled her days providing a loving home for her family, caring for her parents, helping neighbors and friends and assisting others by getting them to and from their appointments or with errands. Helping others get to where they needed to be, church, the store, a farmer’s flower stand, became one of Carol’s cherished purposes, a way to lend a hand and help others, to be of service. Carol served on the Board of Trustees, the Staff/Parish Relations Committee, Finance, and Worship committees at her church, and used her excellent speaking skills in her role as Lay Speaker, even delivering a sermon or two. She helped organize school and church fundraisers, community events, and weddings and funerals at the church while never missing an evening home cooked meal for her family or a welcome home from work to her husband. Carol Shaffer "adopted" every child that walked in her door and they felt free to call her mom. After retiring to Willow Valley, Carol served in her new church on several committees and as liturgist until she could no longer walk down the aisle. Carol Shaffer's heavenly gift was spreading the Love of Christ through her open arms and selfless deeds. Everyone who knew her, knew her God, and the light she brought upon this world will continue through the faith she instilled in her family. Rest in His peace mom. Carol is survived by four children: Robert A. Shaffer (Rose), Kenneth M. Shaffer (Eileen), Michael W. Shaffer (Sandra), daughter, Pamela Shaffer, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Leslie Shaffer who passed in 2019. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Carol’s Funeral Service at Lampeter United Methodist Church, 1101 Village Road, Lampeter, PA on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend John Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. A private interment will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Henderson Settlement, P.O. Box 205, Frakes, KY 40940 or Lampeter United Methodist Church, 1101 Village Road, P.O. Box 188, Lampeter, PA 17537.