Audrey MacNeil Shaffer

Audrey MacNeil Shaffer, loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and (soon to be) great-grandmother, was born on December 21, 1930, in Landis Township, New Jersey, to Elwell & Rose MacNeil (nee Aromando).

Audrey graduated in 1947 from Vineland High School in Vineland, New Jersey. Her days as a life-long learner began at a young age when she was advanced two grade levels. She entered her freshman year at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, as a 16-year-old and soon met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Shaffer. Chuck & Audrey married on February 23, 1952,o and celebrated 62 years together.

Audrey taught elementary school in New Jersey and Maryland until she welcomed into the world daughters Lisa MacNeil and Carla Rose. Chuck & Audrey moved to Woodbury, New Jersey, where Audrey poured her energy into raising her family and making her community a better place to live. She organized a Candy Striper Volunteer program for the local hospital, coordinated a “Helping Hands” program for the neighborhoods surrounding the elementary school and became a community leader for the United Fund.

When Lisa and Carla started school, Audrey returned to work as a 4th grade teacher for a year and then established the Woodbury, New Jersey, Elementary School Guidance Department and became it's very first guidance counselor. She juggled her roles as wife and mother while working full time and still managed to achieve her master’s degree from Glassboro State College (n/k/a Rowan University). Audrey accepted a position in the Gloucester County School Superintendent’s Office and ultimately joined the New Jersey Department of Education, providing oversight and liaison services for all of the schools in Gloucester County until her retirement in 1997.

Audrey was a voracious reader throughout her life, often finishing a book in a day. Chuck & Audrey loved traveling and shared wonderful trips throughout Europe and Asia with special traveling companions Lillian & Lou Szigethy (her sister and brother-in-law) and Kate & Ray Lozier (Jeff’s parents). Audrey was especially proud of her Scottish heritage and treasured several visits to Scotland, including a gathering of the Clan MacNeil on the Isle of Barra. She also made several trips to Italy with her family where Chuck had proudly served in the US Military and often reminisced about her walk through the church where her Italian ancestors left their footprints.

Audrey is predeceased by her parents, Elwell & Rose, her husband Chuck and her sister Lillian (“Sis”). She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Lisa & Jeff Lozier and Carla & Ed Moreland. She is beloved by her "grands" Logan, Alizé, Brigitte, Céline, Ted & his wife Sarah, Meghan, Christa and a "great-grand" on the way. She is treasured by her niece and goddaughter Michelle and her nephews and their spouses, Les & Barbara and Neil & Martha.

In the last couple of years, Audrey was blessed to live independently in her home thanks to the loving care from some very special newfound friends via Custom Caregivers. She was treasured as “Mama” by Patricia, learned to watch and cheer for the Mavs with Geraldine, enjoyed calm days with Shan, bloomed a friendship with Dominique and conspired with Amanda for the perfect Christmas gifts for family & friends. While she cherished her new friends, she treasured her old friends. For years, each day was made extra special thanks to daily phone calls from her long-term friends Jeanette & Rich.

The greatest joy in Audrey’s life was her family. Her sister Lillian was her best friend and her children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in her words, "the people who were lucky enough to marry them", were a source of great pride. Audrey liked many things in this world, but above all she LOVED Her Family! Family gatherings often included Audrey’s favorite toast, “Alla famiglia”.

Audrey was a smart, strong and gracious lady who is now reunited with Chuck, the love of her life. Thank You for always remembering her. She would be honored if any charitable donations are made to either the wonderful T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center or the amazing Operation Kindness-North Texas No-Kill Animal Shelter.

A funeral service for Audrey will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX, 75225. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park with a reception within the funeral home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Shaffer family.