Carrie Lou (Andrews) Shaffer

 A Life Remembered~~

Carrie Shaffer, 73, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 9, 2019 with her family at her side in her home in Foxfield, Colorado after a hard fight with stomach cancer.

Born on May 17, 1946 to Howard L. and Dorothy Kathryn Andrews (nee Jordon), Carrie Lou was named for her two grandmothers.  Her brother, Howard L., Jr. aka "Buddy" was ten years her senior and she was "Lulu" to him all her life.  She lived in the now famous North End of Springfield, Illinois spending her entire childhood in the same home, walking to elementary school and eventually graduating from Lanphier High School in 1964.

Carrie had a special gift to maintain friendships over time and distance and she lived by the old adage, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."  In Illinois, her beloved Lincoln Land, she would fondly recall her weekly visits with her grandparents in Chatham and her dear classmates from the class of 1964.  These strong bonds were never forgotten.

After high school graduation, Carrie enrolled at Illinois State University studying Geography/Earth Sciences for two years.  She later worked for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company but her eyes and her heart were fixed westward.  So in 1968, she left Illinois for "California Dreamin" where she met the love of her life, Dean Shaffer.  An electrical engineering graduate of the University of Wyoming, Dean found a career in computers and was a systems engineer for 33 years.  Dean and Carrie would become husband & wife on November 27, 1968 and their journey together for over 50 years would include three moves from Texas to California and finally Colorado.  To their union, they brought Bridgette in 1969 and Brett in 1972.  

Family adventures camping, fishing and boating began early in their marriage and they shared these fun times; occasionally being joined by Dean's co-workers in the beautiful hills of northern California.  These California friendships she maintained with care and love for over 40 years, even after she moved in 1980 and she and Dean began exploring the mountain lakes and streams of Colorado and Wyoming.

In Colorado, Carrie loved being with her family so much she followed the kids to school and became a school secretary for 16 years at Smoky Hill High School.  She made many friends during her time working for the Cherry Creek School District and spent several years as a substitute after retirement because she loved being with her co-workers and the students.

Through the years, Carrie enjoyed painting in oils, restoring antiques, traveling (including train trips across the US and Europe), gardening, hosting international students, watching rodeos, playing cards and listening to outdoor music concerts.  Many of these activities she regularly shared with her dear friends.

Together, Dean and Carrie enjoyed their travels in the American West, as well as Mexico, Hawaii and New Zealand, watching birds and staying in bed and breakfasts.  They also loved and cared for 5 schnauzers, especially their constant companions, Schnitzel and Pfeffer.

After retirement, Dean and Carrie built a cabin on family property near Dean's hometown of Thermopolis, Wyoming.  They often hosted friends and family there:  4-wheeling, camping, fishing and visiting together on the farm. 

Carrie attended Bible studies regularly over the years in both California and Colorado.  She also had occasion to serve as a Nursing Home Ministry Coordinator and as Infant Nursery Director in her local churches.  Currently, she is a member of Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Centennial, Colorado and she dearly loves her church family.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Shaffer of Foxfield, CO, her brother Howard L. Andrews, Jr. of Springfield, IL and her children Bridgette (Mitch) Martin of Eagle Rock, VA and Brett (Amy Beth) of Durango, CO.  Additionally, she spent the last 22 years as Grandma Carrie to 12 grandchildren, 6 boys and 6 girls:  Myles, Kate, Susanna, John, Heidi, Nathan, Emily, Josiah, Benjamin and Oliviet Martin and Gavin Dean and Nova Lou Shaffer.  She was also grateful for the love and friendship of her many nephews and neices and their families.

Carrie will be cherished and remembered as a good friend, a loving wife, and a proud mother and grandmother.

A man that hath friends, must show himself friendly.  

Proverbs 18:24

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her...

she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:11-12

Her children will arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Proverbs 31:28

• Services will be conducted in two locations, the first being First Baptist Church of Thermopolis, 310 S. 6th Street in Wyoming on June 19, 2019  10:00am with Burial and reception to follow.
• A second service will be held  on June 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Smoky Hills Baptist Church at 19315 E Smoky Hill Rd, Centennial, CO 80015
• Memorial gifts in honor of Carrie may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.com or to the Memorial Fund at Smoky Hill Baptist Church, 19315 Smoky Hill Road, Centennial, CO  80015.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Carrie Lou (Andrews) Shaffer, please visit our Tree Store.