Ann Schaffer

SCHAFFER, Genevieve Ann 94, former resident of Kettering, OH, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family in Broomfield, CO on April 18, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Anthony J. Schaffer; her parents Clara and Stephen Todak; her brothers, Edward, Robert, Jerome, James, and Thomas Todak; her sister, Alice Weston; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Grace Schaffer. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Karen Schaffer and Perry Ahlfinger of Brighton, CO, and Patricia and Steven Winegar of Western Springs, IL; five grandchildren: John Downing, Alexandra Ahlfinger, and Gregory, Jeffrey, and Claire Winegar; and great grandson, Ryan Anthony Downing; her brother, Raymond Todak (Joan); sister, Mildred Best; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Todak. Born August 26, 1918 in Buffalo, NY, the third of nine children, Gen's family moved to Toledo, OH in 1929. Gen became the first in her family to graduate from college (B.Ed), and she still holds the record at University of Toledo as the only woman to letter in four varsity sports. She earned her M.A. in Communications from the University of Dayton in 1973. Gen was a strong role model to her daughters, balancing a long, challenging career with marriage and raising a family. Gen led by example when it came to showing compassion toward others, remaining positive in adversity, and being generous without expectation. She modeled thoughtfulness in small ways too-like inviting someone for holiday dinner who would otherwise be alone, or never forgetting a thank you note. She left behind a journal from much of her extraordinary and ordinary adult life, written weekly at the beauty shop, entitled Thirty Years Under the Hair Dryer. Gen was employed by Sinclair Community College as Professor and Department Chair of Office Information Systems, retiring in 1986 after 20 years of service. Her previous business experiences included Personnel Director at Monsanto's Research Labs (1946-1956) and other endeavors in supervisory, legal, and court steno positions. Gen and Tony first moved to Van Buren Township in 1948 and voted to make Kettering a city in 1952. They were also founding members of St. Albert the Great Church. Following her retirement, Gen was a world traveler, doting grandmother, and active community volunteer. In fact, when computers were gaining popularity 20 years ago, Gen volunteered in area grade schools, successfully teaching first graders the keyboard in just one week. She also volunteered for the Kettering Police Department and at St. Albert's. Services will be held at Calvary Cemetery chapel at 9:30am on Saturday, April 27. Visitors will be received at 9am in the chapel. Following the burial, family and friends are welcome to gather at One Lincoln Park retirement community. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Illinois 11 S. Lasalle St, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60603