Jill Catherine Shaffer

Jill Catherine Shaffer was born in Swindon, Wiltshire County, England on Monday, August 1,1938 and passed away to be with her family in heaven on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 on what would have been her 65th wedding anniversary to Kenneth Lee Shaffer in 1957.

Our mum “Jill the Pill from Blunsdon Hill” as she was fondly known, was the quintessential extrovert, always fun seeking, family loving, and a forever friend to all, never meeting a stranger in her entire life. It’s just like Jill to choose a celebration day to depart this earth and join her beloved once again, not only her husband Ken, but her first born child Sharon who died suddenly at 3 weeks old. She was thankfully blessed with two baby boys, Derrel and Dale, soon after this devastating loss early in their marriage. Even though Jill hit bumps in the road and had rainy days like all of us, her zest for life never waned, and the future was always bright and full of possibilities for more adventures, loving on family and making new friends. Always smiling, dancing, singing, laughing, and always hospitable and welcoming anyone and all to her home. Jill taught us how to truly live in the moment and not look back. After many years of depression and choosing to drown her sorrows in alcohol, she chose life and lived her next 37 years of sobriety to the fullest. She is quite a testimony to overcoming adversity and addiction. Her sweet grandson, Jason Shaffer, led her to a church community that brought her joy and peace that she would not have been able to experience otherwise.

Jill was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Lee Shaffer, her parents Arthur Humphries and Gladys Scott Humphries; infant daughter Sharon Shaffer; and sister-in-law Mair Williams Humphries. She leaves to cherish her memories, her sons Derrel Shaffer (Susie) and Dale Shaffer (Laurie); her brothers Mike Humphries of Gadsden and Pat Humphries (Jean) of Hayle, Cornwall, England; grandchildren Aaron Shaffer (Laura), Elizabeth Shaffer, Jason Shaffer, Connor Shaffer, Brandon Cole, Melanie Fox Santiago (Carlos) and Garrett Fox (Estefania); great grandchildren Jake Shaffer, Will Shaffer and Isaac Shaffer; nieces Sarah Hancock, Haley Tolbert, Hannah Tolbert, McKenzie Hancock, Lucy Humphries; nephews Nick Humphries, Paul Humphries (Emma), Glenn Humphries (Anne Sayer) and Jack Humphries.

Graveside services will be held at the Alabama National Cemetery, 3319 Hwy 119, Montevallo, Alabama on Wednesday, July 6 at 1:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to go to the Downtown Jimmy Hale Mission, Birmingham, Alabama (jimmiehalemission.com)

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