Dorothy Ellen Shaffer

Dorothy Ellen Shaffer passed away on August 10, 2012 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in Walla Walla, Washington on April 18, 1929. Dorothy graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1947 where she met the love of her life Monte Gene Shaffer. Im- mediately after high school Dorothy worked as a Dental Assistant, a career she returned to briefly later in life. Dorothy and Monte married in Waitsburg, Washington on November 24, 1949. They started life together on the Shaffer family farm in Co- lumbia County. The couple moved to Prosser, Washing- ton in 1952 and made it their home, where they farmed in Horse Heaven until retiring in 1996.

Dorothy was a wonderful wife and mother, thoughtful neighbor and good friend. She trained her beautiful lyric soprano voice at Whit- man College Conservatory, and it was greatly appreci- ated at the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir. Dorothy was also an elder in the church, tended its flowerbeds and loved teach- ing at its Sunday school. She was a past President of P.E.O. Chapter K and greatly enjoyed the fellowship of her P.E.O. sisters. Dorothy was a dedicated, committed Red Cross volunteer, organizing the Prosser blood drives for many years.

Dorothy's lifelong love of baking received recogni- tion beyond her family and friends in 1982 when she became a National Finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off with her Sugar Crusted Melt-A- Way cookie. Another of her passions was clowning. Dor- othy spent many hours as an amateur clown performing at nursing homes, the Washing- ton State Wheat Convention and her grandchildren's birthday parties. Dorothy always brought laughter, fun and a light heart to all she touched.

Dorothy Shaffer is sur- vived by her husband, Mon- te Shaffer of Prosser; her daughter, Denise Shaffer- Berne and her husband Richard Berne of Brooklyn, NY and their son Jacob; her daughter, Lorie Shaffer of Seattle, Washington and her children Mikah and Zach Williams; her son Christo- pher Shaffer and his wife Debbie Shaffer of Walla Walla, Washington; and her sister, Charlotte Owens also of Walla Walla, Washington. Dorothy Shaffer's family and friends dearly loved her and will deeply morn her loss.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Prosser, Washington at 11 o'clock in the morning. A graveside internment service will be held on Friday, August 24th at 11:00 a.m.at the Waitsburg Cemetery. Those wish- ing to make a donation in memory of Dorothy Shaffer might consider one of her favorite charities: Cure Al- zheimer's Fund, Chapter K P.E.O. Scholarship Fund or First Presbyterian Church of Prosser. Those wishing to sign the guest book and leave a message of remembrance may do so at www.prosserfu- neralhome.com