Mary Louise "LuLu" Schaffer

Mary Louise “LuLu” (Whetstone) Schaffer, 72, of Havertown, PA, passed away at Bryn Mawr Hospital surrounded by family and friends on February 27, 2026.

Born on February 6, 1954, in Southwest Philadelphia, Mary Lou later moved to the Manoa section of Havertown, where she attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. She earned an Associate’s Degree from Delaware County Community College with Magna Cum Laude honors, a Sociology degree from Temple University, and a Master’s in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College.

Mary Lou married Rich in 1979 and they had two children, Paul and Elaine, while living in Upper Darby. Later she returned to Havertown, where she raised her children in the very same home where she grew up. Mary Lou was a fiercely loving and protective mother and her children meant everything to her.

Mary Lou spent her career helping others, working as a social worker in various schools and facilities supporting children of ages, always finding little ways of adding laughter and smiles into their days.

She was a free spirit, full of joy, warmth, and always willing to provide entertainment to those around her. In her young adult life, Mary Lou played in an adult women’s softball team where her husband Rich was the coach. She enjoyed watching the Phillies and the Eagles. She loved expressing her creativity through drawing, painting, guitar, piano, dancing, and singing. She found great fellowship in a spiritual community that brought her strength, guidance, and lifelong friendships. Later in life, she joined the Power Over Cancer Dragon Boat Team, where she enjoyed paddling on the Schuylkill River but was best known on the team for singing and telling jokes.

Wildwood, New Jersey, held a special place in her heart, and she proudly continued her childhood tradition of summer vacations there with her family.

Mary Lou battled metastatic breast cancer for over eleven years with undeniable strength, resilience, and spunk. Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Bryn Mawr Hospital for their compassionate care, and to her friend MaryAnn for offering her guidance and support through her journey.

Mary Lou’s greatest joy was her grandson, Deon, whom affectionately called her “Ray Ray”. Even on days when she wasn’t feeling her best, she got down on the floor and played right alongside him, forever a kid at heart.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents, Osmer B. and Agnes (Cauley) Whetstone. She is survived by her life partner, Rich; her son, Paul (Kelly) Schaffer; her daughter, Elaine Schaffer; her adored grandson, Deon; her sister, Suzanne (Edward) Syre; her nephews, Ed (Tara) Syre, Bill (Jordan) Syre, Jake (Alyssa) Syre, great nieces (Sloane and Paige), great nephew (Grayson); long time friend, Ann Arrell and many other beloved friends and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Visitation 10:30 AM-12:00 Noon Thursday, March 5, 2026 and to her Memorial Service 12:00 Noon at the Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Lou’s honor to the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia (CSCGP), https://cancersupportphiladelphia.org/donation/.