Jane Helen Shaffer

Waterford - Jane Helen (Chrischilles) Shaffer of Waterford, died peacefully Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.

Jane was born in Little Falls, Minn., Jan. 15, 1921, the daughter of Egbert Ernest Blaine Chrischilles and Anna Elisabet (Vaag) Chrischilles. Jane grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1938. She attended the University of Minnesota and earned a bachelor of science degree in music education.

She graduated in June, 1942 and on June 25, 1942, she was united in marriage to her school sweetheart, Wayne G. Shaffer. As newlyweds, Wayne and Jane moved to Connecticut where Wayne was employed by Columbia University at their facility in Fort Trumbull for critical research and development during the war. They lived in Waterford from 1942 until 1948.

In late 1948, they relocated to Silver Spring, Md., where Wayne took a job as an engineering draftsman for the Kellex Corp. Over time, Kellex was purchased by Vitro Corp., and Wayne retired as the president of Vitro Laboratories. Upon retirement in 1980, Wayne and Jane returned to Waterford and purchased a home in their former neighborhood near The Strand. In June of 2014, Jane moved to Fairview-Odd Fellows Residence, Groton. She lived at Fairview until her death at the age of 94 years, 8 months, 10 days.

Mrs. Shaffer was an accomplished classical musician and served as organist in a number of churches in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She was an active member of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Light Opera Association, Touch and Go Music Club, and served on the board of the E.C.S.O. Other memberships include AAUW, Kappa Phi, PEO Sisterhood, U of MN Alumni Club, The Minnestota State Society, New London Garden Club, and Tuesday Club.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wayne G. Shaffer, her parents, and brother, Earl Kenneth Vaag.

She is survived by her four sons and their wives, Dr. Thomas Wayne and Janice Shaffer of Minnesota, Jonathan David and Karen Shaffer of North Carolina, Christopher George and Elizabeth Shaffer of Maryland, and Andrew Bradford and Jennifer Shaffer of Maryland; 10 grandchildren, Peter (Kerri), Kaija, Eric (Jaclyn), Alison (Lukas), Stephen (Julie), Christine, Drew, Alexander, George, and Joshua; and six great-grandchildren, Miles, Peyton, Tess, Cecielia Jane, Esli, and Zachary.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Pequot Chapel, 857 Montauk Ave., New London, with a tea to follow at Langley's Restaurant at Great Neck Country Club, 28 Lamphere Road, Waterford. Interment will be in Minnesota.

Per Mrs. Shaffer's request, memorial gifts may be sent to The Singers, Minnesota Choral Artists, 528 Hennepin Ave., Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, has been entrusted with her care.