Obituary of Frances A. Schaffer

Frances (Enomoto) Schaffer

JAN. 4, 1945 - JAN. 14, 2023

Frances Ann Mitsuko Enomoto Schaffer, 79, Ontario, OR, passed away on January 14, 2024 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Frances was born on January 4th, 1945 in Ontario, Oregon to Fumio Ben and Grace Yoshiko (Hara) Enomoto. She graduated from Ontario High School in 1963, later attending Eastern Oregon College where she graduated in 1968 with a degree in English and the title of homecoming queen. Frances met Tim Schaffer while he was bartending at the Eastside Café in 1966 and they were married on September 13, 1968. After living briefly in Portland, Oregon, Tim and Frances moved to Brogan, Oregon, then to the Oregon Slope near Ontario, and they finally settled in their family home in Ontario for the next 38 years. 

Frances served Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for 34 years, starting in 1982 as the religious education director and as pastoral associate until her retirement in 2016. Whether managing baptismal records, ensuring accurate bookkeeping or guaranteeing masses were ready, Frances held Blessed Sacrament together. Even after her retirement, she continued to volunteer for the church, counting the collection weekly with her closest friends and proofreading the church bulletins in detail. Frances was very active in the Ontario community, volunteering her time to PTAs and creating the activity calendars for Ontario High School. A passionate OHS supporter, she was a pillar at her children’s sporting events, keeping her own stats for every game so that she could share them with her kids and their teammates. As a grandmother, she continued this practice, attending events and activities, proud to share in her grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Frances is remembered as a kind and jovial soul, loved by everyone who knew her. Her selfless acts of kindness and willingness to help whenever needed stand as an inspiration. She will be missed by all, but mostly by her husband of 55 years, Tim.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents Fumio Ben and Grace Yoshiko Enomoto, grandmother Mitsu Hara, her brother Dennis Enomoto, and her sons Jon Schaffer and William (Baby Bill) Schaffer. She is survived by her husband Tim Schaffer; three children Kari (Jack) Joyce, Jennifer Schaffer, and Joe Schaffer; and four grandchildren Chase Joyce, Ashlin Joyce, Ryker Brent and Avery Brent.

The mass of the rosary and viewing will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ontario on Wednesday, January 24 at 6:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church on Thursday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Evergreen Cemetery. Please join us for a dinner reception celebrating Frances’s life at Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall following the burial.