Patricia Shaffer

Patricia Shaffer, a lifelong resident of New York, died peacefully in her sleep in Golden Hill Nursing Home on February 17, 2024. She was eighty-four.

Patricia was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1939 to Harold J. Dillman and Margaret Dillman (nee Smith) She was the middle child of three. She is predeceased by her brother Harold Jr. and sister Maragret Annunziata. Patricia attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Brooklyn before attending high school in the 1950’s at The Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School.

Patricia married Edward O. McGlinchey on November 22, 1956, and they resided in Brooklyn for a time before moving to East Meadow Long, Island. She always wanted a large family, having come from a large family herself with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She loved children and went on to have six of her own. The McGlinchey family consisted of five boys and one girl. Edward of Lancaster PA, Michael of Bozeman, Montana, Steven of Fishkill, NY who passed in 2004, Kevin of Hyannis Mass, Timothy of Lancaster PA, and Patricia Narbaiz of Wawarsing, NY

In 1976 the family moved to the Spackenkill area of Poughkeepsie, NY. Patricia decided to volunteer at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie to visit patients, cheer them up and make little crafts for them. She was highly creative and enjoyed crafting and crocheting and often made things for people just to cheer them up. Patrica was also an excellent cook and started employment working for the Spackenkill elementary school district in the kitchen.

Patricia was divorced in 1988. On 5/18/1991 She married Claude W. Shaffer of Hyde Park, NY. where she lived and then worked at The Ralph R. Smith school as cook manager until she retired. In 2013 she suffered a severe stroke and lived with family members who cared for her until she entered Golden Hill Nursing home in 2019. She made many friends in the facility and enjoyed herself watching reruns of old westerns, participating in various activities in the facility and playing BINGO for prizes which she often gifted to her friends there.

Patricia was an exceedingly kind, loving and generous person who loved God and her family. She is now at home with the Lord and those whom she loved who departed before her. She rarely had a bad thing to say about anyone including those who wronged her. She will be missed by so many. Patricia leaves behind her five surviving children, nine grandchildren, (pre-deceased by one, Maximillian in 2018), eight great grandchildren with another on the way, two nieces, (predeceased by one, Dawn Annunziata in 1986), two nephews and many cousins.

Patricia requested no viewing and as per her wishes will be cremated. Her ashes will be interred in St. Charles Cemetery in the Dillman family plot alongside her father, mother, brother, and sister. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Patricia’s favorite charities, the ASPCA or St. Jude’s children’s hospital.