SHAFFNER, Margaret Mary "Peggy"

Margaret Mary “Peggy” Shaffner was born Margaret Lane in Kelly, N.M., to Michael and Mary Sullivan Lane on June 23, 1912. The family moved to Leadville when Shaffner was three years old where she lived for more than 90 years until ill health necessitated her moving to live with family in Brighton. She died Dec. 30 at age 94½. She was one of eight children, Patrick, Martin, Michael, Lawrence “Shorty,” Jimmy, Bart “Jiggs” and Loretta, all of whom predeceased her. Their father died while all the children were young, so it was a difficult childhood for them, but their mother’s strong Catholic faith kept the family together and happy. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through the 8th grade and was a lifetime member of Annunciation Church. She never graduated from high school but her long life of learning was so much better than any book and such a joy to her family. Shaffner would entertain family and friends with the many stories of her youth: of taking pails up around the mines in the hills to pick berries for their mother to bake pies; of living on “Chicken Hill”; of Baby Doe Tabor; of taking care of five children of a local family all day, every day, for 25¢ a day; of helping her mother wash and iron the linens for the church altar; of her brother playing the piano and everyone singing; of the games she and her brothers and sister would make up; of the chores each was assigned according to age; and on and on and on. Family members were all entranced when she started her storytelling. She loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. She loved dancing. She was devoted to her family and friends. She loved cooking and baking and always had something to offer visitors. Her desserts were famous. She was very giving and always ready to help the needy, the hungry. She was especially devoted to children. She gave to numerous charities. Her gleeful laughs and strong hugs were enjoyed by all who knew her. She was strong and beautiful, had a head of red hair like no other. She never learned to drive so had great “gams” from all the walking. She loved to write letters. She had lasting friends from around the country. She loved to visit new places and see new things. She delighted in telling everyone she was Irish and Catholic. And her greatest pleasure came from loving and giving to all; what the family remembers most is that she did not give to receive. Margaret and Lewis “Bill” Shaffner were married in Leadville in 1938. He preceded her in death in 2004. Shaffner is survived by her two children, Charles “Skeets” (Jan) Irby and Patricia Diedrich. Her children gave her five grandchildren: Gayle (Michael) Kuehn, Kirk (Diane) and Kent (Lori) Irby and Orin (Tammy) and Brian Diedrich. She also leaves five adoring great-grandchildren: Cody, Ryan, Lindsey, Kaitlin and Kellsey. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Annunciation Church officiated by Father Jay Jung, C.M. Soloist Joan Dawson and Organist Jean Elliott provided the music, including “O Danny Boy” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” Pallbearers were Kirk Irby, Kent Irby, Howard Tritz, Steve Tritz, Charles Staab and Victor Quintana. Following the Mass, she was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in her beloved Leadville on Jan. 4. Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home. Herald Democrat