Search Results

SHAFER -- KATHLEEN "KAY" MARIE (MEISSNER) July 16, 1923 - April 22, 2012 Memorial services will be held Friday, May 11 at 10:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Charles Shafer, exactly 14 years to the day. Interment will follow at Guaje Pines Cemetery. Born in Norwood, Mass, she graduated from Norwood High, attended Mary Brooks College and Boston University, and attained a Nursing Degree from Mass General Hospital. She was a school nurse for the Los Alamos Schools and northern New Mexico communities. She married and moved to Los Alamos in 1947 and worked as a medical secretary at the Los Alamos Hospital. With two children, they moved to Rochester, Minn where Dr. Shafer completed his Mayo Clinic fellowship. With four kids, they returned in 1954 to Los Alamos and settled at Canyon Road. Kay was a committed traditional housewife and devoted mom of five children. Kay served the Catholic Church as lector and commentator in Los Alamos and Santa Fe. She developed cherished friends, played tennis and golf, camped and fished. She pursued her lifelong love of art as a gifted sculptress and painter (water colors and oil), gifting family and friends with a legacy of unique pieces. She was one of the original founders of the Los Alamos Art Association and Picnic Painters. Her hope was to be remembered as someone who could bring a bit of sunshine, humor and optimism to others. Kay was truly a person of joie de vivre. "Madre" is survived by three sons, two daughters, three in-laws and eight grandchildren who affectionately called her "Nana". They include: Chas Shafer, JD, LLM, wife, Jennifer of Durango, CO, Jason, Derrin and husband, Jesse, with great- grandchild on the way; Greg Shafer, CPA, wife, Andrea, Chas, of Monument, CO; Col. John Shafer, USMC, wife, Sally, Ryan, Reid and James of Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina; Beverly Shafer, MD, of Boston, Mass.; Diane Shafer Dekker, PhD, RN, husband Dale Dekker, AIA, of Albuquerque, Travis, Paige and Luke. Kay would have appreciated donations to the Catholic Church or Medical Centers in Los Alamos or Santa Fe, Servants of the Paraclete, or any cause promoting the Arts, Cancer or Dementia Research.
        Published on: Sun May 06, 2012