Mary Anne Schaffler

1930 - 2025

One of the last surviving members of the Butler High School Graduating Class of 1948, Mary Anne O'Donnell Schaffler, passed away at the home of her son in Riverside, Calif. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the age of 94.
She was born at home on Aug. 17, 1930, in Chicora, on the family farm. Her parents were the late Daniel J. O'Donnell and Mary E. (McGee) O'Donnell. She was the oldest of eight siblings, four girls and four boys.
Mary Anne attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. As a first grader, after quickly finishing her classwork, she listened to what the older kids were learning, which allowed her to skip a grade. Finishing elementary and thinking of her future, Mary Anne moved into Butler to attend Butler High School, as they offered typing and shorthand which she would need for employment in an office. She supported herself during these high school years working as a live-in babysitter and maid. After graduating high school, she worked for a beer distributor and then at McElvain-Elder Insurance Company in Butler.
On Aug. 10, 1957, Mary Anne married Otto Schaffler of Chicora at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chicora. In 1959, the couple moved to Beamont, Calif. and opened a Dairy Delite Drive-In. In 1964, construction of the new Interstate 10 through Beaumont prompted another move to Riverside, Calif., to the home where they raised their family and where Mary Anne remained until Otto's death in 2023.
Mary Anne and Otto were the proud parents of four children, Mary, John, James and Donald "Joe." They were married 66 years, providing an example of a stable, faithful and loving marriage to all who knew them and a welcoming home to all who entered their doors.
Mary Anne worked in the insurance industry for most of her career. Later, she worked at various tax preparation companies during the tax season. She loved working with numbers. After retiring, she and Otto made several trips to Ireland connecting with family. They made numerous trips driving across the United States throughout their 66 years.
Mary Anne valued her Irish heritage and treasured her strong family ties. She found great support in her Catholic faith, which saw her through being shot in an armed robbery and later, an accident that left her son, Joe, a quadriplegic.
She was an accomplished embroiderer, stitching many beautiful pieces, and loved to read. Working crossword puzzles and playing cards were favorite pastimes.
Mary Anne is survived by her daughter, Mary Hutcheson-Price; sons, John Schaffler and James Schaffler; grandson, Matthew Hutcheson (Becca); great-grandson, Jameson Hutcheson; daughter-in-law, Cha Cha Schaffler (the late Joe); sister, Jeanne (Larry) South; brother, Robert (Carole) O'Donnell; and beloved nieces, nephews, stepgrandsons and their families; great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
Mary Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Otto; son, Joe; grandson, Ryan; and son-in-law, Kevin Price. Also by her parents, Daniel J. and Mary E. O'Donnell; her sisters, Gertrude Hodgkiss Blair and Rita (Greg) Mills; her brothers, Edward (Winsome) O'Donnell, Joseph (Mary Ann) O'Donnell and Kenneth (Judy) O'Donnell; by her great-grandparents, Peter O'Donnell (Ellen Buckley O'Donnell from County Cork, Ireland), James McGee and Mary (Nugent) McGee.
A Mass of Christian burial for both Mary Anne and Otto Schaffler will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 853 Chicora Road, Chicora. Luncheon to follow the Mass and burial.
Mary Anne and Otto are forever in our hearts.