Dorothy Valborg Gustavsen Schafer, of Williamsburg, died March 31, 2014, at the age of 102.
Mrs. Schafer grew up in Marblehead, Mass., graduated from Tufts College and married her high school sweetheart, Walter, in 1928. Her husband managed the New York office of Aristotle Onassis (the shipping magnate). They subsequently moved to Newport News with their girls in 1951 when he accepted a partnership with Hasler and Company.
As their girls were raised, Mrs. Schafer was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She participated in PTA and the Girl Scouts and involved the girls in the arts. As a young woman, she was a lifeguard and retained that love throughout her whole life, swimming until she was 100 years old. She was active in the Altar Guild of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for many years and also a member of PEO. Another interest was gardening, and she and her husband developed and maintained a beautiful flower garden at their home on Oakland Drive in Newport News.
Mrs. Schafer moved to Williamsburg Landing in 1988 and has resided there ever since. For 20 years she managed the weekly vespers conducted by Bruton Parish at the Landing. While there, she also participated in a full life by playing bridge, rummy cube and working with the library. During this time, her life was enriched by the associations with her loving daughter, Kaye, her granddaughter, Sarah, the other residents of the Landing and the dedicated attention of the Landing staff. Mrs. Schafer was a truly remarkable woman who led a long and healthy life and who remained intellectually bright right up until her “coming home.”
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Walter Schafer; daughter, Joan Tatum; son-in-law, A. Lewis Allen; and great-grandson, Asa Allen.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaye Allen Williamson (Bill); son-in-law, Sam Tatum; grandchildren, Michael Allen (Karen), Kevin Allen (Jill), Christopher Allen (Donna), Sarah Spata (Michael) and George Tatum (Lori); and great-grandchildren, Alexander, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Samantha, Ryleigh, Paxton, Samuel, Quincy, Emma, Zoe, Makennah and Hallie.
There will be a memorial service held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Woodhaven Manor in the Landing. A private inurnment will be held at Bruton Parish Church at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
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