Denise Marie Heacox Shaffer

Denise Marie Heacox Shaffer

Denise Marie Heacox Shaffer, age 65, of Erie, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. She was born September 5, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pa, a daughter of the late Warner and Evelyn Johns Heacox.

Denise was a very loving mother, wife and friend who in times of adversity throughout life had always found the way to express her love, compassion, and inward strength that gave a sense of warmth to the ones who loved her so deeply. She will be missed so very much and in our hearts we will always feel her touch. Denise and her husband Joseph always had a wonderful relationship and she had a great love for him and her children. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers. She is survived by her husband, Joseph A. Shaffer; two sons, Peter Michael Swope and Richard J. Westcott; three stepsons; one stepdaughter; two brothers; eight sisters and four grandchildren. She is also survived by one great-grandson, many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, 2122 Raspberry Street, on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held there on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Burial will be private in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 401 W 8th St., Erie, PA 16501 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.