Barbara Ann "Barby" (Stoll) Shafer was born on July 30, 1938 in Lexington, Ky. She passed away the night of Dec. 16, 2023 in Port Orange, Fl. after spending the day in hospice care surrounded by family members. She was 85.
Barbara is survived by her children, Carl Addison Shafer, Jr., Deborah Shafer Alessi (Daniel), William Ross Shafer (Lisa) and Michael Wayne Shafer (Sandra), and her younger sister, Mary Stoll Patton (David), who Barbara began referring to as "Cissie" as a child, a name she still goes by today. Barbara had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly called her "Momaw." Barbara also will be missed by nephews, nieces, cousins and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Addison Shafer, Sr. and her parents, John William and Mary Frances (Wilcoxen) Stoll.
Barbara graduated from Lafayette High School in Lexington, where she was a cheerleader and played several instruments in the band, in 1956. She then majored in music and minored in math education at Eastern Kentucky University in 1959. Two years later she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Stetson University, and in 1980, Barbara received her Master's of Science in Elementary Education with a specialization in Reading from Nova University. She completed her post-graduate work in Administration and Supervision from Nova in 1982, becoming a reading specialist.
Barbara's transfer from EKU came so she could marry Carl, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Port Orange School, on March 25, 1959. She also was a fixture in the Volusia County school system, beginning her career when her youngest child, Michael, started first grade and retiring after more than 30 years in education. Through the decades, Barbara earned numerous teaching awards and received many letters from former students thanking her for her contributions to their growth and education. She kept quite a few of those in an office file cabinet.
Carl was a talented golfer, and passed the love of that game along to their three sons. And while Barbara didn't play, she often enjoyed hearing stories of the birdie on 17 and sympathized when told of the missed 4-foot putt that would have led to a round in the 60s.
Barbara and Carl were avid bowlers, active in the Lion's Club and enjoyed water skiing. They actually were introduced when Carl was Cissie's ski instructor at the Port Orange causeway. The couple also enjoyed attending their kids' extracurricular school events, traveling and playing cards together. And when asked at their 25th wedding anniversary celebration what their favorite memories of marriage were, Barbara smiled, pointed to her four children and said "you're looking at them."
She was a giving woman who spent her retirement years volunteering at Halifax Hospital in Daytona and once, after her sister had been hospitalized, Barbara drove to the Gainesville area, unasked, to clean Cissie's home before she returned. Barbara often visited Newberry to help Deborah, also a teacher, to decorate her classroom.
For fun, Barbara played online Pogo each morning with her two oldest children, enjoyed BINGO many times each month, solved jigsaw puzzles and playing the piano, especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also was active in the Women's Club of Daytona Beach. Oh, and she traveled. Boy, did she travel. And she often came home with keepsakes. Barbara compiled a beautiful collection of bud vases from the countries she visited which she proudly displayed in her home.
Barbara visited all 50 states and numerous continents. She had a variety of travel partners with William recalling a memorable vacation to Mexico and her niece, Julia, recounting "girls' trips" to Las Vegas with Barbara's mother, Cissie, Deborah and, on occasion, their Aunt Dixie. Barbara loved cruises, took road trips every summer and frequently traveled to Lake Tahoe to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and the winter snow.
She swam most mornings, liked to walk and enjoy nature (especially waterfalls), care for her rose bushes and her church family, and she always rooted on Kentucky basketball (never hesitating to say "Go Big Blue!" when she saw someone in Wildcat gear). But more than just about anything, Barbara loved being Momaw, not just to her grandkids and great grandkids, but to numerous others outside the family who also called her that.
Her children's families were close by, allowing for Momaw to easily visit often. Some were in Volusia County, some were in Gainesville and others were in West Palm Beach, where Michael said Barbara also liked spending time on the back patio.
Those who knew Barbara were blessed with the time they shared with her. The wonderful memories she provided will remain in our hearts.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ALS Association.