Margery A. Shaffer

Margery Anne Shaffer passed away unexpectedly on July 26, 2019 as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on July 24.

Marge, born on October 9, 1930 to Joseph Burkley and Pearl Barnes in Pittsburgh, Pa., was the middle of their five children.

She began dating her husband-to-be, Edward Shaffer, while they were in high school in Pittsburgh. After marrying in 1949, they moved to New Orleans and back to Pittsburgh for college and work. When Ed entered dental school at Temple University, they moved to Philadelphia. After dental school, Ed became a commissioned officer in the Navy in 1957 and they were stationed in South Carolina. Their final move, as a family, was to Swarthmore in 1964, where their fifth of five boys was delivered.

Marge was a passionate mother, who found great joy in supporting her five sons and will be remembered for always being on the sidelines and in the audience when her boys were playing football, basketball, baseball or performing on stage. Even after her sons stopped playing football at Swarthmore High School, Marge so loved the game and the Strath Haven Band that she continued to attend Strath Haven football home games every fall.

In addition to being a devoted mother and wife, Marge spent nearly 30 years making props for hundreds of productions at the Players Club of Swarthmore. Her decades of voluntary service to this beloved organization was recently commemorated with a ceremony and plaque. Likewise, Marge was a huge supporter of Young People’s Theatre Workshop, where her grandchildren spent many years learning and sharing Marge’s love of theater, singing and dance.

For over 40 years, Marge lived in and cherished the community of Swarthmore. She was a familiar presence in town, especially at the Swarthmore Swim Club, the local eateries, and all the community events. She particularly loved the 4th of July and the famous horseshoe tournament, where she got very competitive while rooting for her sons and husband. Marge was many things to many people: a mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, mother-in-law, close friend and neighbor. She lived to entertain, and was known for expressing how much she loved you by cooking extravagant and memorable meals.

Marge was predeceased by her beloved husband of over 50 years, Dr. Edward Shaffer, and her brothers, Jay Burkley, Don Burkley, and Jack Burkley.

Marge is survived by her cherished sister Marilyn; her nieces, Sherry Brindeau and Diane Alejandro; her nephew John Buckley; her five sons, Stephen, David (Martha Schwartz), Michael (Sue), Rick (MaryRose Muccie), and Dan (Diane); and five grandchildren, Sarah, Luke, Samantha, Liam and Nicholas, all of whom brought her unmitigated joy.

There will be a memorial at Dan and Diane Shaffer’s home on August 10, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Marge was known and loved by many. The family is deeply appreciative of the outpouring of love and support.

Marge’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Swarthmore Players Club (pcstheater.org and click on donate), which was her extend family of choice.