Shirley Louise Shaffer

Shirley Louise Shaffer, 87, of Harrisburg, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Born on August 2, 1933 in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Robert G. and Anna M. (Knouse) Shaffer.

Growing up in Lebanon, Sunbury, Millerstown and lastly Harrisburg, Shirley attended John Harris High School, and then went on to work for a short time at two local businesses, Thompson Products and Meg’s Macaroni Factory. After marriage, she left the working world to raise her children and tend to the home. While living in Steelton, the 1972 flood destroyed their home. The family would relocate to Harrisburg where she would live for almost 50 years. Although she eventually divorced, she remained close friends with her ex until his passing this past October. She loved his wife, Nilda. Shirley was a very creative and skilled artist. She would draw and sketch in her free time. She was a lover of board games and jigsaw puzzles, and she enjoyed framing and displaying her finished puzzles on the walls. She was not a great cook, but her claim to fame were her famous fresh cut French fries and a Shaffer family recipe for a type of stew called bagoulian. We aren’t sure of her secrets, but she made the absolute best! As she got older, she cherished her role as a grandmother. She always had a big tub of crayons and games ready. Her love of feeding stray cats, squirrels and birds was legendary in the neighborhood. Birds would literally line the high wires and follow her during her daily walks. Her current beloved pet, Lupita, will miss her greatly.

Shirley is survived by her children, Carmen M. McClure, of Penbrook, Ricardo “Ricky” M. Gonzalez, and Linda S. Almanza (Javier) of Harrisburg and Anita Gonzalez of Clarksville, TN; grandchildren, Kimberly A. Herns and Michelle L. Hainsworth of Campbell, OH, Jennifer A. McClure and Joseph M. McClure of Middletown, PA, Faith A. Willis of Clarksville, TN, and Layne A. McClure of Penbrook; eleven great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Winifred M. Bickel of Sunbury, and Kathleen A. Zeiders of Middletown; granddaughter, Amanda R. Butcher; son-in-law, Charles L. Burkholder, Jr.; and the father of her children, Victor S. Gonzalez of Youngstown, OH.

A memorial service will be held at 5pm Wednesday, April 7th at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed toward the family to help with final expenses.