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Nancy Shaffer Obituary
AUGUST 11, 1950 - JUNE 5, 2012
The Reverend Nancy Brooks Shaffer, diagnosed last June with an aggressive brain tumor, died at her home last week in Davis. She was the daughter of Lee and Marjorie Brooks of Modesto, sister of Michael Brooks, Sonora and niece of Robert Tallmon, Modesto.
Nancy was a 1968 Hughson High School and 1972 University of California, Davis graduate, Phi Beta Kappa. After earning a Masters from California State University, Sacramento, she served as a psychologist in public schools in Vacaville, California and Chicago, specializing in work with children with learning problems. She also did case work for psychiatric hospitals.
She began writing as a spiritual practice. That led to a second career and a 2002 Master of Divinity degree at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. Skinner House, the Unitarian Universalist church's publishing arm, published a book of her meditations while she was still a student at Starr King. A second book, also from Skinner, is in process for publication. It chronicles her year of living with a brain tumor. Both books are in highly praised poetic form.
Nancy served Unitarian Universalist churches in Monterey, California and Chicago, Illinois as Interim Minister; as Parish Minister in Glen Allen, Virginia; and, most recently, as Associate Minister for Religious Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
She returned home to Davis in the fall of 2011. She was a member of both the Unitarian Universalist Church and St. Martins Episcopal Church of Davis.
A Memorial Celebration is set for Friday, June 15th at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 27004 Patwin Road, Davis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Library Fund, Hughson High School, 7419 East Whitmore Road, Hughson, CA 95326.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Shaffer
Kathleen Rolenz
May 10, 2013
I am referring back to Nancy's beautiful collection of poems and essays, Instructions in Joy for this Sunday's service. It continues to inspire me. Blessings to you, Nancy, for all you did in your all too short life.
Linda Larin
April 26, 2013
Mrs. Brooks, I happened to meet your daughter through a colleague, physician friend of mine who was a dear friend of Nancy's and a member of her congregation. I only knew her a short time after her illness and we shared stories. The physician connected us because I was putting together a book of patient stories and he thought Nancy would like to contribute. She gave me several stories, but I never received an ok from her before she left us. I have been trying to reach you to see if you might like to ok a contribution from her. If not, I understand, but if you might be interested, just let me know and I will try to reach you somehow. Her pastor thought she had contact information for you, but none has worked. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know Nancy was incredible and I can share some wonderful emails she sent me in 2011 and early 2012. Take care...I hope good memories are a comfort to you.
Karen Brown
August 9, 2012
I offer these words of comfort from a sermon Nancy gave as she was leaving her year of interim ministry here in Monterey. Her words help me.
... if you are held in something Larger, the way is far less lonely. What you offer is not from your hands alone, and then this present time is linked to all other times. And then you have the sturdiness to open yourself to the temporary and fleeting - the sturdiness to love it wildly, even though it will end, even though you then will grieve. May you feel held in something very Large, after I go, and for all your lives. May that Large thing call you to far more than you first imagined possible, and through that, may you become finer than you ever imagined.... We human creatures "love so deeply we never will have enough days." And so we are mindfully attentive to the small details and feelings of the day and moment before us, the only day and moment we know for sure we've got; and out of that attentiveness, we build up a span of hours and days and people and times we treasure.... Losing oneself in goodness is an anchor. It holds us. And then the unknown, or the thing that asks more than we think we have to give -- these become smaller.... I wish for you - getting lost in the simple good right in front of you. I wish you daily, unexplained mysteries. I wish you the sustenance these offer. ... May you be held by that which is Larger than yourselves. May you know the partial as complete just as it is. May you know a broad and lavish love for life itself, brought to silence by its mysteries.
June 29, 2012
Thank you, All, for your words about how Nancy's life helped enhance the world she lived in. Marge Brooks
Kenn Cunningham
June 20, 2012
I am very sorry to learn of your loss. I remember Nancy as a kind and gentle person. May God bless you with strength for this time and the knowledge that she is safely with Jesus.
Cynthia Kane
June 17, 2012
Nancy was a dear colleague, poetic mystic, & tender soul. I cherish our time together in the DC area & will forever be grateful she witnesses the burials we did at Arlington National Cemetery while I was assigned there. Thank you, dear one, for gracing us with your presence, words, & world. - Cynthia Kane, UU minister serving as a Navy Chaplain (Portland, ME)
Lauren Turner
June 16, 2012
Marge, Lee, Mike,
I guess this is the way of communication today, but no matter how, there is no way to fully express my sympathy and heartfelt sorrow. I also wish for you to have many good memories.
Love,
Lauren
Anne Sturtevant
June 15, 2012
I am thinking fondly of Nancy as her family, friends and spiritual communities celebrate her life in gatherings today and tomorrow. Her tender life touched many of us, and I will love and remember her always.
Below are words from one of Nancy's recent poems which was set to music - a perfect tribute to her exceptional mind, loving heart and appreciation of melody.
Mending
How shall we mend you, sweet soul?
What shall we use, and how were you torn?
Come sit. Come tell me.
We will find a way to mend you.
I would offer you my silence,
My presence –
All this love I have,
And my sorrow that you've become torn.
How shall we mend you sweet soul?
Gently, I think, gently, sweet soul.
June 14, 2012
Words cannot express how badly I feel for you. I'm so sorry and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Love you guys so much. Varvi
June 13, 2012
Thank you, Dorothy. Good to hear from you, too. Marjorie Brooks
Dorothy Ussery-Pontes
June 13, 2012
Mrs Brooks, so sorry about your loss. you and your family are in my prayers.
Marjorie Brooks
June 13, 2012
Thank you, Clint
Clint Barth
June 12, 2012
Nancy will be misses by many, not only school and class mates, but those who she touch.
Clint Barth ( class of 68 )
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