LaVerne Shafley

Jeannette LaVerne Shafley, 95, of Hilliard, passed away on Sept. 6, 2024 from the effects of a stroke in July. She enjoyed a long and richly fulfilling life of service to others. LaVerne was born on February 26, 1929 to Richard and Kathryn (Edwards) Ament in Wilmerding, PA and enjoyed a happy upbringing despite the Great Depression and World War II. After her 1946 graduation from Westinghouse Memorial HS, LaVerne met her life’s love, James M. Shafley, at the Westinghouse Air Brake, where they both worked. They fell in love and married in 1949, moved to Monroeville, PA and built a home on Shafley Ct. They grew their family to four children, Debra Rode, Cheryl (Larry) MacDonald, James (Elaine) Shafley and Brian (Jodi) Shafley and moved to Columbus in 1961. LaVerne loved her new home and Ridgewood neighborhood, where she lived for her remaining 63 years. She became a joyful inspiration to her 14 Grandchildren (Tiffany Farley, Nick Calderone, Brooke Bolyard, Justin Shafley, Tyler Shafley, Jordan Rode, Jessica Rode, Cole Shafley, Andrea Basaldua, Dakota Shafley, Jasmine Shafley, Morgan Trivunic, Bailee Everhardt, and Wyatt Shafley) and 25 Great-Grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor and unconditional love, even through the challenges of dementia and grief. LaVerne was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 1984; her grandson, Tyler, in 2007 and all four siblings (Jane Schilke, Dick Ament, Dot Heaps and Lois Harper). She was widely known for her love of swimming, gardening, reading, Big Band Swing music, spaghetti, ice cream, The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She made many friends at Vincent Graphics and attended Hilliard Presbyterian Church.

Family and friends are invited to the Visitation on Friday, Sept 13, 2024, from 5-7pm and a Funeral Service on Saturday, Sept 14 at 10am at Tidd Family Funeral Home in Hilliard, OH. A graveside service immediately follows at Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimers Association.