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Obituary
Thomasina Kathryn (Shipman) Schaffer,
devoted wife and mother, was taken home to Heaven and reunited with her
Parents and sister in the presence of God on May 12, 2013 after a prolonged
battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Thomas
C. and Mary Iva Shipman, her Aunt Mary Lou Watzek, her sister Sally Ann
Shipman Barrett, her infant brother, and niece Heather Tomi was a 1964
graduate of Parkersburg Catholic High School and a 1968 graduate of Marshall
University. Where she received her bachelors degree in elementary education.
She went on to attain a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Marshall
University in 1984. Tomi was a dedicated teacher who touched countless lives
and helped sculpt many childrens’ futures. She began her teaching career in
the Wood County School system; first at Pleasant Valley then later at Criss
School in Parkersburg. God touched her life leading her to Christian and
Catholic education. She taught at De Sales Heights Montessouri in
Parkersburg and then after moving to Huntington became a pre-school teacher
at St. Paul Lutheran. In 1988, she became a teacher at Saint Joseph Grade
School in Huntington where she remained until her death. Tomi received
numerous accolades and awards from the Catholic School System and the
diocese of Wheeling-Charleston including the esteemed Bishop’s Cross. One of
her biggest joys, however, was when her former students would return years
later to say hello to her. It meant so much to her to see that her students
still remembered her and thought so highly of her. Tomi was an avid sports
fan and among her favorite teams were her beloved Thundering Herd,
Cincinnati Reds and Bengals and the USTA and PGA tour. She loved attending
her sons’ baseball, basketball, and soccer games, and later her
granddaughters’ softball and basketball games. She found the greatest
enjoyment, however, lounging about at the beach. She so loved the sand,
surf, and soaking up sunshine. She also was a seasoned quilter. Many of her
creations are used by many family and friends. Tomi is survived by her
beloved and devoted husband of forty-four years, Joseph M. Schaffer, her two
sons Andrew J. Schaffer of Huntington and his fiancee, Stephanie Adkins and
her daughters Alexandra and Emmalina, and Matthew T. Schaffer of Huntington
and his fiancee, Cassie Via, her sister Rebecca Shannon Shipman Hurst of
Hanson, MA , two brothers-in-law Paul E. Schaffer of Columbus and John R.
Schaffer of Vienna, WV, a very special daughter-in-law, Jessica A. Watzek,
seven grandchildren; Laura, Emily, Morgan, Vivienne, Trevor, Gretta, and
Tucker, several nieces and nephews: Christopher W. Hissem of Parkersburg,
Jameson J. Hissem of Martinsburg, WV, Brian M.Hissem of Parkersburg,
Jennifer E. Hissem of Virginia, Melinda Nelson Hurst of New Orleans, LA, Amy
Hurst of Hanson MA, Benjamen P. Schaffer of Columbus, and Holly K. Schaffer
of San Diego CA . She also leaves behind many, many special friends and
colleagues whom she loved very dearly. Special thanks to the faculty and
staff of St. Joseph Catholic Grade School, St. Joseph parish, the staff of
Reger Funeral Home, and the staff of the oncology unit at Cabell Huntington
Hospital. Visitation will be at Reger Funeral Home located at 1242 Adams Ave
Huntington on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Mass of
Christian Burial will be said by Rev. Dean Borgmeyer at St. Joseph Catholic
Church Friday May 17th 2013 at 11:00 AM. There will be a special visitation
at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel
Cemetery in Parkersburg, WV. Reger Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.
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