Mary Ellen T. Shaffer 1941-2023
CULVER CITY, Calif. — Mary Ellen Theresa Reddington Shaffer, 81, loving wife, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at her home. She will be remembered as the loving matriarch of her family and a cherished friend to so many.
Born June 21, 1941, and raised in Youngstown, Mary Ellen was the youngest daughter of James and Dorothy Reddington. Mary Ellen was one of three children, her brother, James, and sister, Carol, having passed before her.
She graduated from Ursuline High School in 1959.
She traveled to California in 1966, where she enjoyed positions at General Telephone Co. and Santa Monica Bank before she began working at the RAND Corp. Federal Credit Union. It was at this point in her life where she met the love of her life, Rick Shaffer, and settled in Culver City. While raising three sons, Mary Ellen enjoyed many years at the credit union before joining the RAND Corp., finding great joy in time spent and friendships made while working in the accounting and travel departments.
Mary Ellen will be missed by all who experienced her friendship, love of life and beautiful, caring heart. She will be remembered for her delicious Christmas cookies, her cherished Coca-Cola collectibles, her beautiful and thoughtful quilts, practical jokes, and her love for playing spirited card games with her grandchildren.
Mary Ellen’s love for her family was boundless; she was the keeper of secrets, the sounding board for life’s big and small decisions and the family’s north star.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 53 years, Rick Shaffer; three sons, Stanley, Christian and Jonathan; three daughters-in-law, Jill, Tedde and Kristin; and six grandchildren, Chad, Casey, Piper, Dylan, Christian and Cole.
“Although 53 years of marriage seems like an eternity, it is but a blip on the cosmic scale. Her time spent with us not only fills us with joy, but now a bittersweet melancholy, longing for a smile or a laugh. She will always be our ‘Sweet Pea.’ Goodbye, our love.”
The family will host a celebration of life, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the same church where she and Rick were married in 1969, Mount Olive Lutheran Church on Ocean Park in Santa Monica, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association.
(special notice)