Virginia June Shaffer (nee Anderson) was born at Trinity Hospital in Arcata on June 1, 1928 to Gladys Larson and Lloyd Anderson. A lifelong resident of Arcata, she died on Feb 20, 2024 at 95 years of age. She attended College Elementary School, Arcata High and Humboldt State College (1948-1952). Virginia married Jack Shaffer in 1952. They built their own home on Old Arcata Road in the Eucalyptus Grove.

Their first child, Hollie Goodman (Michael), was born in 1953 and their son, Mark Shaffer, was born in 1958. Virginia loved reading, animals, and baking cookies and pies. Every week Virginia took Hollie, friend Joyce, and Mark to the Arcata Library. She would check out 7 books at a time… and read them all!  She and Mark always had pets including Buffy, MaMa Kitty 1 and 2, and Midnight with Stars. She enjoyed the beach cabin at Big Lagoon and later sitting in the sun at the A-frame Mark and Jack built in Hawkins Bar in the ‘70s. She would identify plants and birds on her daily walks with husband, Jack.

Starting in high school, Virginia worked for the family businesses including Hutchins Grocery and The L&A Style Shop and later volunteered at the American Cancer Society and Friends of the Arcata Library.

She was a loving grandmother to Matthew (Catheline), Anna, Jay ( Lauren) and Moira. She attended their school events, baseball games and whipped up birthday cakes and apple pies. She dragged them to dentist appointments and annual flu shots too. She was great grandmother to Caleb, Faith, Grayson, Cibella, Adlei, and Jack. 

Thanks to Sequoia Springs Memory Care Unit, Hospice of Humboldt and Paul’s Chapel in Arcata for their care and support. 

No services are planned.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Virginia Shaffer’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.