Obituary of Valerie Susan Shaffer

Valerie Susan Shaffer, age 66 of Millcreek Twp., passed away at her home on Monday, November 29, 2021, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Also known to many as Val, Foof, Mahza, Waddi, Mama Val, MeeMaw and Yeta; she was born in Erie at St. Vincent Hospital on April 6, 1955 a daughter of the late Andrew and Marguerite (DelSandro) Timko. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rose and Valdo DelSandro; brother-in-law, Craig Kinney and father-in-law, Paul Shaffer. Valerie graduated from Girard High School, where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She furthered her education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where she received her bachelor’s degree. She began her nursing career in Erie and went on to work for a few years in the Carolinas. Valerie moved back to Erie and enjoyed over 30 years of service to St. Vincent Hospital. She worked as an IV nurse and was part of the vascular access team. She was an active member of the Intravenous Nurses Society (INS) and was proud to be a certified registered nurse of infusion therapy (CRNI). She touched and changed many lives while working there, including patients, coworkers, nurses and doctors. Despite her illness, and the pandemic, she continued to work and refused to retire. She was a member of St. Julia’s Church and the Vernondale and Westlake PTA’s, where she served as the “Book Fair Lady”. Valerie loved tap dancing, with childhood ambitions of making it on WICU’s The Pappy Show, slot machines, reading, music and floating in the pool. She was a mom to all and loved to cook and entertain, always being the life of the party. Valerie was an avid QVC shopper and a connoisseur of a good dirty martini with six olives. She is survived by her three children, Kristen, Kayla and Andrew Shaffer; her husband, Kevin Shaffer, MD; two sisters, Marguerite Timko-Kinney and Kimberly (Angelo) Pontillo; grand-dog, Delma; one aunt, Audrey (Jack) Reese, mother-in-law, Marlene Shaffer; brother & sister-in-law, Karl (Kris) Shaffer and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, who are like family. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday December 13, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, and are invited to a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM on Tuesday December 14, 2021 at St. Joseph Church Bread of Life Community, 147 West 24th St. Erie, PA 16502. Private inurnment in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to AHN Saint Vincent Oncology Patient Care Fund, 2508 Myrtle St. Erie, PA 16502