Obituary

Shirley Shaffer, 84, of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed away January 13, 2021.

Shirley Martha Shaffer was born in Kansas City, MO, January 19, 1936 to Harold and Pauline Brown and grew up in Lee’s Summit, MO. She attended the University of Kansas for two years and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Avila College. Shirley taught elementary school for 24 years, 22 of them at The Barstow School where she is an Honorary Alumna.

As a teacher, Shirley encouraged learning by experience. Her Barstow students may remember discovering artifacts in her classroom archeology site, building a life-sized Oregon Trail Conestoga wagon, and going on their 5th grade trip to Washington D.C.

Shirley loved music, especially the piano. She gave lessons and was a church organist at Trinity Methodist Church in Moberly, MO. She accompanied many Center High School students taking instrumental solos, duets, and trios to District and State Music Contest. Shirley was a devoted member of the Lee’s Summit Methodist Chancel Choir and was a Friends member of the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, needlework, bird watching, puzzles, fishing, boating, traveling, Sudoku, playing bridge and Bunko, and was an avid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, KC Royals, and KC Chiefs. She loved being at the Lake of the Ozarks and sharing her home with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim Brown, and husband of 64 years, Don Shaffer. She is survived by her children Sara Myers, Syd Stansberry (Ed), and Tom Shaffer (Jody); grandchildren Rachael Myers, Ellie Stansberry, Pete Stansberry (Claire), Madeline Shaffer, and Sam Shaffer; great grand-child Jack Stansberry; sister-in-law Donna Brown; nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will take place on January 23, 2021 at 10:00 with a service at 11:00 at Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW Third Street, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64063. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required. A private family burial will be held at Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra, or The Barstow School.