Karen R. Shaffer, 71, of Lee, died peacefully Saturday, April 5, at Berkshire Medical Center following a brave and determined battle with cancer. Born in Pittsfield on April 17, 1953, the daughter of George and Mary Boivin Honiker, she attended Lenox Schools and was a 1971 graduate of Lenox Memorial High School.
Mrs. Shaffer was employed at Lenox Savings Bank as a teller for many years and later worked as a bookkeeper for Pignatelli Electric Co. until her retirement.
She was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lenox Dale.
Mrs. Shaffer and her husband Thomas W. Shaffer were married on August 14, 1971. Mr. Shaffer died June 16, 1995.
Mrs. Shaffer is survived by her children, Sean T. Shaffer (Kara) of Franklin, Mass., and Joanne M. Haggerty (Patrick) of North Chatham, N.Y.; two brothers, Peter F. Honiker (Sen) of Merritt Island, Fla., and George F. Honiker Jr. of Merced, Calif.; and two sisters, Donna J. Kohlenberger of Las Vegas, Nev., and Maralyn A. Morrissey of Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Karen had six grandchildren whom she adored: Dylan, Ella, and Brendan Shaffer and Lauren, Jarrett, and Elise Haggerty. Her grandkids will miss her Easter egg hunts and the many holiday dinners together. She was a proud mom and grandmother who always had a smile on her face when the kids were around.
The funeral of Mrs. Karen R. Shaffer, formerly of Lenox and Lee, will be Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lenox Dale, celebrated by Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonzagni, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the Roche Funeral Home are Tuesday evening, from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make donations in Karen’s memory may do so to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in care of the funeral home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
