Frances M. Sheffer (Fran), 95, of Tucker, GA, left us for heaven on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, after breaking her femur in a fall on December 7th. After 5 weeks in the hospital and rehab, she returned home under Agapé Hospice’s wonderful care and died peacefully in her home.
She was born on December 5th, 1927, in Rochester, PA to the late Oliver Wendell McGaffick and Kathryne Margueriette Rhodes McGaffick. Her brother, Charles William (Jan) McGaffick preceded her in death; as well as her sister-in-law, Wilma McGaffick. She is survived by her younger brother, Wendell Alan McGaffick; and numerous nieces and nephews in and around Beaver Falls, PA.
Fran grew up in Beaver County, PA where she met and fell in love with Thomas Fox Sheffer when she was 14 and he was 16. When he graduated from Darlington High School in 1943, he was drafted in the US Army and served in the Pacific theater of World War II.
In the meantime, Frances obtained a Registered Nursing Degree from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. She married Thom on January 25, 1950 and moved to Kirksville, MO so that Thom could finish his medical degree at A.T. Still University. They remained devoted to each other for over 68 years and if ever there was a beautiful marriage, it was theirs. He preceded her in death on June 14, 2018.
They moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1952 where Thom was a family physician for 24 years. In 1976 Thom closed his practice to join the United States Air Force where he served until his retirement as a colonel in 1993. Together they lived in PA, MO, FL, GA, OK, TX, MS and IL and had over 20 addresses. Wherever she lived, Fran made friends, loving whoever God brought into her life. She greatly enjoyed being part of her church family, her neighborhood, Gideons International Auxiliary and PEO International.
Fran only worked briefly as a nurse—her main accomplishments were that of a mother and homemaker. She is survived by her 4 children: Gregory Thomas (Mariellen) Sheffer of Big Rapids, MI; Rebecca (Kent) Good of Tucker, GA; Karen (Keith) Riffel of Elkhart, IN and Sherry (James) Brady of Safford, AZ, as well as 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. She was always busy serving her family, but in her spare time she enjoyed many hobbies: sewing, quilting, embroidering, knitting, crocheting, table games and reading.
She will be buried next to the love of her life, Col. Thom Sheffer at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL after a memorial service in the Chicago, IL area, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Gideons International (at gideons.org; just click on GideonCard). Their purpose is to provide Bibles to people in hospitals, hotels, schools & the military around the world in order to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carmichaelhemperleypeachtree.com for the Sheffer family.
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