Dee Shaffer

Wilda Dolores (Dee) Shaffer, age 86, of Forest Park, Ohio, passed away in the presence of her family on February 14, 2024. 

Dee was born in Fairmont, West Virginia to Wilda and Thomas Cook. She found a love for broadcasting at an early age, becoming an amateur radio enthusiast, which years later she would refer to it as “the facebook of its day.” She was also an avid listener and employee of the local radio station just a short walk up the hill from her home. She became the station’s bookkeeper before she was a teenager by learning bookkeeping skills from her mother during a scarlet fever quarantine. Dee was also active in ballet dancing, the Girl Scouts, and Civil Air Patrol. 

After graduating from East Fairmont High School, she met Ed Shaffer, and they were married in 1957. They relocated to Normal, Illinois for Ed’s job at State Farm Insurance. After the births of their children, they moved in 1966 to Cincinnati. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. degree in Psychology.

Dee was a dedicated and energetic wife and mother with a “get ‘er done” approach to life. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, ballet costume seamstress, and an awesome baker and cook, birthday cakes and Sunday dinners her specialties. While attending a PTA meeting, the Development Director for public television station WCET spoke and encouraged volunteerism. As a result, she began a relationship with WCET as a volunteer and employee that would last over 35 years. After retirement, she joined the staff of the Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation, later Clever Crazes for Kids and the Building Healthy Lives Foundation. She was a member and officer in several organizations, including: Business and Professional Women, League of Women Voters, Zonta Club, and Forest Park Historical Society. She served as a board member of TruPartner Credit Union, and was an active member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church for 57 years.

When Dee wasn’t volunteering, she enjoyed attending the Cincinnati Ballet, musicals and plays at the Aronoff and Covedale Theater, and spending time with family and always finding time for that “half-a-cup of coffee” with friends and neighbors.

Dee was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Edwin Shaffer, and son-in-law, Norman Patterson, and best friend of 57 years, Eloise Gabbert. She is survived by her four children, Thomas (Judy) Shaffer, Sharon Patterson, Carol Wilhelmy, and Michael (Rachele Lynn) Shaffer, her granddaughter and caregiver Heather Shaffer, and grandchildren, Tiffany (Bryan) Dattilo, Rose Shaffer, Rebekah (Elijah) Mohler, Kristie Combs, and Trevor Davis, and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Nolte Jr., and Vincent Norman Dattilo.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 26, from 6-8pm, at the Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pk, Springdale, Ohio 45246. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, February 27, at 10:00am at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 17 Farragut Rd., Greenhills, Ohio 45218. Graveside services will be private. Livestreaming of the funeral mass is available at: https://www.youtube.com@ourladyoftherosarylivestre1761 .

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to CET PBS would be greatly appreciated. Tributes and Memorial Gifts - CET (cetconnect.org)