Debbie Schaffer, 62, of Rochester, passed away at 12:30 AM on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne.
On May 16, 1961, Debra Ann was born in South Bend to Stuart and Janet Leazenby Shippy. Growing up she shared her childhood with three sisters and a brother. Proudly she graduated with the Class of 1980 from Rochester High School.
Debbie worked for Superior Samples of Rochester. As a CNA, Debra worked at Hickory Creek of Rochester, leaving in 2006 due to health reasons. She beat cancer and vibrantly outlived the five-year life expectancy by 15 years.
As a nature lover, Debbie loved camping at France Park, walking the trails, going to the beach and keeping her lawn manicured. Her home was her “Little House on the Prairie.” She watched her feathered friends and squirrels and kept their feeders full of tasty treats. To relax, she could often be found reading Amish books. She cherished the time with her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Debbie enjoyed cruising the country side in her 1975 blue cutlass. She enjoyed vacationing with Brian to Florida. Going to the zoo with her grandchildren was a great way to make memories.
Left to cherish the memories of Debbie are her mother, Janet Shippy of Rochester; two daughters, Jessica Patton and fiancé Joseph Brown of Rochester, Morgan Strunk of Nappanee; two sons, Jason Brown of Rochester, Travis Nicholas of Rochester; 15 grandchildren, Alexander, Elizabeth, Briana, Cadence, Olivia, Emma, Riley, Ciara, twins Hayden and Hunter who were born on their great grandpa’s birthday, Charlotte, Ava, Athena, Aria, Micah; two sisters, Brenda Hughes of Rochester, Candace K. Patton and husband Bobby of Rochester; brother Brian D. Shippy and wife Pamela of Rochester; nieces and nephews, James David Hughes and wife Autumn, Lindsey Randall, Tara Zimmerman and husband Aaron, Britney Flory and husband Nathan, Brandon Shippy, Bobby Lee Patton II and wife Darci, Amanda Sue Patton, Jonathan Stuart Patton; great nieces and nephews, Krystal, Shayde, Rosalie, Aaden, Kendall, Brayson, Kinley, Caedra, Zhayden, Haisley, Makenna, Wyatt and her three feline companions, Opossum, Willow and Jasper.
Preceding Debbie in death are her father, Stuart Milton Shippy on July 5, 2017, Grandma Mildred and Grandpa Emmett Shippy and Grandma Bernice and Grandpa Paul Leazenby.
A celebration of the life of Debra Schaffer will be at 12 noon on Monday, April 15, 2024 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester.
Friends may visit with the family from 12 noon to 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 14, 2024 and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Monday.
A graveside service will be at 2:30 PM in the Lakeview Cemetery of Kendallville.
Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
