Helen Spakowski Shafer, 80, passed away Tuesday at Groton Regency.
She was born June 30, 1928, in East Lyme, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Turski) Spakowski. She was the widow of Charles E. Shafer.
She is survived by a daughter, Teresa Geer and her husband Joe of Norwich; two sons, Robert Shafer and his wife Linda of Stonington, Michael Shafer and his wife Diane of Rio Vista, California; two sisters, Stella Wickson and Olga Spakowski of Niantic; 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
She worked at the Pattagansett Finishing Company (Hermitage Mills) for 28 years, retiring in 1987 and moving to Florida with Charles. After the death of her husband, Charles, she eventually returned to Connecticut to be near her family and once again enjoy the changing seasons. She was also predeceased by her brother, Charles Spakowski and sister, Anna Campbell.
She loved walking in the woods, visits from her son's dogs, but especially loved the beach with its warm sand and smell of the ocean. When she was younger, she would rather ride her bicycle to town than drive a car which she did not learn to do until her late twenties. She made the best cream pies ever. She will be greatly missed.
Her family thanks the staff of the Groton Regency for their kindness, caring and keeping her safe.
Funeral services will be private.
To share a message of remembrance or condolence with her family, please click the link below.