Barbara Ann Schaffer

Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. She was 76.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Elwood and Veronica Hesson, Barbara attended St. Hubert's

Catholic High School for Girls. Swiftly after graduation, at age 18, she married Francis “Frank”

Schaffer, and the two shared a joyous, honest and loving marriage until Frank's death in 2016.

In their 56 years of life together, Barbara and Frank traveled extensively, venturing to Ireland, Hong

Kong, the Panama Canal and many other exotic destinations. As she crisscrossed the world, Barbara

also brought five children into it, and raised them with a rare devotion and limitless love.

To friends and family, Barbara was known to have a lively, sharp and joyful spirit. She filled any room

with her laughter, which came rapid and often. In the mornings, as she sipped her tea, she would sing

out, “Coffee Dear, coffee coffee coffee!” while Frank drank his cup. Upon hearing any of her children

utter “Jesus!” she was always quick to retort “Mary and Joseph. Finish your aspirations.”

Guests to her home were often greeted with a kiss on both cheeks and the inviting aroma of her

homemade mac and cheese cooking in the oven. A lover of stories and storytelling, from the white

couch in her living room she would delight her audience with tales ranging from the grand (her travels

abroad) to the everyday (her most recent hairdresser appointment) to the latest developments on her

favorite reality TV shows (Big Brother and Survivor), always tenderly holding the hand of whoever

was sitting beside her.

Her devotion to her family was matched only by her devotion to the church. Barbara attended mass

every Sunday at The Catholic Church of St. Ann, and ushered regularly.

A viewing will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son - Canton Hill in Marietta on July 2nd between 9 and 10 am.

Barbara is survived by her children Susan, Barbara, Sandra, Francis and Stacy, and her many, many

grandchildren, for whom she will forever be affectionately remembered as “Mia” and “Grammie.”