Anne Schaffer

Anne Schaffer, formerly of Harrisburg, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 89. 

Anne was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 11, 1935, a daughter of the late Dr. Paul and Eleanor (Baker) Shallenberger. In her teens, her family moved from Chicago to Waverly, New York, where she would spend her junior and high school years graduating from Waverly High School. Growing up, she loved to swim, ride horses, and read. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University and was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, a group she remained close with throughout her life. 

After Anne and her husband, Forrest "Lou" Schaffer, were married, they settled in Harrisburg, PA. Anne briefly taught in the Harrisburg School district after graduating college before becoming dedicated to raising her children. When her children were older, she worked for John Wanamaker Department Store for 25 years. Anne loved to travel extensively with Lou, her sisters, Lynn, and Kitty throughout the United States and abroad, from Alaska to England and Scotland to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to Bora Bora and Tahiti, to name a few. She was also an avid reader and dedicated to fitness. She remained active as a member of the YMCA in Mechanicsburg, PA, participating in Zumba and yoga programs until just a few years ago. 

Anne is remembered for her infectious laugh, impish sense of humor, and affectionate and caring nature. She loved her family's trips to Avalon, NJ, every summer and spending time at Seneca Lake in New York with her family. She adored her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Anne is survived by the love of her life, her dear husband of 67 years, Forrest "Lou" Schaffer; three daughters, Deborah Michalski, Lynne (David) Baker, and Gretchen (John) Van Valen; eight grandchildren, Brittany Bagley (Kenny) Burchell, Jamie Frizzi, Katie Van Valen, Ryan DeBolt, Aidan DeBolt, Liam Looker, Kara Van Valen, and Quinn Van Valen; two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Maeve Burchell; siblings, Lynn Anderson, Kathryn Shallenberger, and John Shallenberger; and niece and nephew, Blythe Knott and Kevin Anderson.  In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by a grandson, Jonathan Van Valen. 

The family will be present to receive friends from 3:30 to 4:30 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg.

The family asks that those who would like to make a contribution to Anne's memory consider Hospice of Central Pennsylvania.