Elizabeth "Betty" C. Shafer (nee Keenan), 89, of Holiday City South of Berkeley Township, N.J., died surrounded by her loving family on Monday, June 28, 2010, at Ocean Medical Center, Brick, N.J. Family will receive guests on Thursday, July 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 2, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, N.J. Entombment will follow to Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, N.J. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com Born on Feb. 3, 1921, in Newark, N.J., and raised in Newark, Betty lived in Belleville, N.J., then Snug Harbor, a section of Toms River, before moving to Holiday City South 18 years ago. She worked for several years as a stenographer for Commercial Credit, Newark. Betty was a life member of Catholic Daughters of America, Court Sancta Maria, Belleville, N.J., and Court St. Bonaventure, Seaside Heights, N.J. She was a member of Al Sheedy Caravan, and Alhambra Association for Mentally Retarded Adults, North Arlington, N.J. She was a parishioner, volunteer, and member of the Rosary Society at Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church, Toms River. Betty spent countless hours as a community steward for the disabled, the poor and needy. She dedicated her life to raising her children, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her true joy was her love and devotion to her husband, her lifelong partner and friend of 72 years. Married for 69 years, Betty is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Robert J. Sr (Bob); her son, Robert J. Jr. (Bob) of Neptune City, N.J.; her three daughters, Bernadette S. Whitmeyer of Toms River, N.J., Elizabeth Ann (Betty Ann) Lee of Wall Township, N.J., and Eileen F. Shafer of Ortley Beach, N.J. She was loved and cherished by 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Donations may be made in her memory to Catholic Daughters Scholarship Fund, Catholic Daughters of America, 10 West 71st St., New York, N.Y. 10023 and Foundation of Meridian Hospice 1345 Campus Pkwy. Suite A-2 Neptune, N.J. 07753.

Published in Star-Ledger on June 30, 2010