JoAnn M. Shaffner, a lifetime resident of Grays Harbor County, died on Nov. 23, 2023, at her home in Central Park. She was 87. JoAnn was born in Aberdeen on April 16, 1936, to parents Michael and Dorothy (Lentz) Zawislak. She was raised in Wishkah Valley and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1954.
After high school, she enrolled in the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Program in Tacoma, earning her 4-year Registered Nursing Degree. She would then work for St. Joseph Hospital in Aberdeen, until her retirement as the Director of Nursing Services. During her tenure there she did Distance Learning graduate work with the University of Minnesota, specializing in Nursing Administration. She never stopped working, going on to work and retire as a Director of Nursing from Grays Harbor Health and Rehab, St. Joseph Nursing Home and finally as a Human Resources Recruiter for Grays Harbor Community Hospital.
On July 30, 1983, she and Owen R. Shaffner were married. They owned and operated Shaffner Farms, Montesano, and retired in 2020 after serving the community for over 25 years.
JoAnn enjoyed clam digging, fishing, traveling, playing card games, word puzzles, reading, camping on the Hoh River, but most importantly spending time with family and friends.
In addition to her husband, Owen, she is survived by a son, Larry Laughead (Steve) of Portland, Oregon; four daughters: Terri Wilson (Scott) of Newman Lake, Washington, Alisa Shaffner (Chuck) of Elma, Melanie Shuttlesworth (Kyle) of College Station, Texas and Amy Iverson of Montesano; a brother Mike “Mike/Ike” Zawislak (Phyllis) of Aberdeen; two sisters, Marilyn (Jane) Brunstad (Harold “Sonny”) of Montesano, Dorothy (Toots) Godfrey of Tumwater; five grandchildren: Aaron Korst (Julie), Megan Korst (Tyler), Kayla Maske (Thomas), Kelsey Shuttlesworth and Nathan Iverson; three great-grandchildren, Jackson Korst, Owen Maske and Calvin Maske; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews who she loved very much.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, with a reception immediately after the service in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Interment will follow for immediate family at Wynoochee Cemetery in Montesano.
Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net
