Catherine S. Shaffer

Catherine S. Shaffer

Of Bergenfield, NJ

Beloved mother and grandmother CATHERINE S. SHAFFER, from Bergenfield, NJ, died on December 4, 2024 at the age of 86.

Born in Deposit, NY, with her twin sister Jeanne, Catherine was raised by her grandmother, aunts and uncles after the maternal death of her mother, Alice Evans Smith.  When they were young teens, the twins’ aunt, Gladys Evans, a World War II nurse, took guardianship of Catherine and Jeanne and moved them to New Jersey, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Catherine was a wonderfully skilled beautician who styled, colored and set hair for clients for more than 50 years in Bergen County. Her clients were loyal to her and stayed with her well into their retirement years.

In 1965, like a scene from a daytime soap opera, the proverbial sparks flew when Catherine, the stunner from upstate NY, met charmer and Somerville, NJ native Robert Shaffer on a blind date. Two months later, the smitten pair got engaged and six months after they tied the knot. No one laughed harder at Robert’s dry sense of humor than Catherine. They lived in Bergenfield for nearly 60 years and remained dedicated spouses until Robert’s death, just four days after their 59th wedding anniversary in July 2024.

Catherine, who was undoubtedly one of the sweetest people you could meet, was the heart and soul of her family. Her sons Bobby (57) and Bryan (53) were her pride and joy. A loving and devoted mom, she never missed a Little League game or a school concert. When her boys delivered newspapers in the snow, Catherine was right there helping them on their paper routes. She loved her sons infinitely and unconditionally and always encouraged them to follow their own paths in life. Above all, she was there for them. Always.

Catherine treasured traveling to Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod, where she honeymooned in 1965. She greatly enjoyed her annual trips back home to Deposit to visit with family. Her favorite dish to cook was turkey casserole, aka Turketti. She was famed in her family for her delicious peanut butter cake, a specialty her two grandsons continue to bake today. She adored her sweets. If you brought her chocolate chip cookies or an apple pie, you were guaranteed a friend for life. And if you were close to Catherine, chances are she’d craft the most beautiful crocheted blanket or scarf for you.

She was also a faithful congregant at the First Baptist Church in Bergenfield, NJ and later at the Emerson Bible Church in Emerson, NJ, where she and husband Robert attended weekly services. Often, you could hear her humming hymns while diligently linking letters together in her word search books. A huge music fan, she’d light up with joy anytime she heard her granddaughters sing or perform.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, twin sister Jeanne, her Aunt Gladys and her beloved husband Robert. She is survived by sons Bobby and Bryan, grandchildren Samantha, Bret, Alexandra and Gavin, and daughters-in-law Kim and Stacey. Catherine loved her family dearly. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 1:00pm at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 78 2nd St. Deposit, NY.

Interment will be in Hale Eddy Cemetery, Deposit, NY.