Maria J. Shaffer

Maria J. Shaffer

Maria Jadwiga Shaffer, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, stepmother, and friend, left this world peacefully on September 15, 2016. Born in Poznan, Poland, Maria and her family immigrated to the United Kingdom after WWII. She came to the U.S. in 1964 and worked as a physical therapist in Seattle. There, she met and married Don Shaffer, her husband of 44 years, and had a daughter, Anna.

Maria loved to dance, travel, sing, paint, and play the guitar and piano. She also enjoyed activities such as tennis and skiing in the Cascade Mountains before Parkinson's disease robbed her of her physical strength and mobility.

Maria was kind, gentle and giving, always helping those in need, and had a soft spot for children and the elderly. Her strong will and spirit persisted despite the ravages of Parkinson's until her sweet and beautiful soul departed this world. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.

Maria is survived by her husband, Don; daughter, Anna Shaffer; sister, Teresa Pond; stepchildren, Shelly McAllister, Donna Wick, and Don Shaffer; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other family members. Viewing will be held on Monday, September 26, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Beck's Tribute Center in Edmonds, WA. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, September 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 18033 15th Pl NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, with reception and burial at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline, WA following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Maria's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (michaeljfox.org), Living Beyond Breast Cancer (lbbc.org) or Catholic Relief Services (crs.org). Please be sure to view Maria's full obituary and sign the online guestbook at becksfuneralhome.com.