Evelyn May Shaffer

God Has Called Home His Angel. 

Evelyn May Shaffer (Covelli), 88, of Huntersville, North Carolina passed away on June 22, 2024, after a long illness. Evelyn was born on January 1, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio to Michael and Rosemary Covelli. She was predeceased by her son Brian Shaffer, parents Michael Covelli, and Rosemary (Covelli) Grable, grandmother, Rose Gigliotti, sister Rosemary Pennington and brother Anthony Magi. 

She is survived by her sons Richard M. Shaffer and wife Denise, Patrick A Shaffer and wife Kimberly, grandchildren, Richard Shaffer (Danielle), Patrick Shaffer (Olivia), Christopher Shaffer (Jesse), Connor Shaffer and Randy Shaffer and great grandchildren Sienna James and Colbie Quinn Shaffer. 

Evelyn graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio in 1954 and married shortly thereafter. In the early years of her marriage while her husband was in in the U.S. Army in Korea she lived with her mother, grandmother and infant son in the Italian community of Cleveland, Ohio. The family delivered newspapers and provided laundry and ironing services for neighbors to support the family.  Evelyn eventually took an administrative position for the sports department at the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper. She also worked weekends as a hostess and singer at the Riviera Italian Club in Cleveland. Her entire family remained residents of Cleveland and were long standing parishioners of the Saint Anne’s Catholic Church. All of her sons were born at the St Anne’s Catholic Hospital. 

In the mid-60’s she moved with the family to Northern Virginia where she lived in Annandale, Springfield, Burke and Fairfax Station. She stayed at home to raise her three sons but was an active parishioner and volunteer at Saint Michaels, St. Bernadette, St Mary’s of Sorrows and Nativity Catholic churches in Fairfax County, VA. When the children became school aged she began work outside of the home for the medical billing department at the Fairfax County hospital. She then helped start a private physicians medical billing service in Fairfax, Virginia where she worked as the business manager. Her love of food and people steered her toward a position to help a friend who owned a local family restaurant where she flourished as a hostess and customer favorite.

After the medical billing business ended she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to be closer to her best friend. In Las Vegas she volunteered at the Clark County Board of Elections and became an active member of Saint Viator Catholic Church. She devoted her talents and time to the community and church through the feed the poor ministry. 

In 2007 after the sudden death of her son Brian she returned to live in Northern VA to be with her family. In 2015 she settled in Huntersville, NC to be closer to all of her children who lived in NC. Evelyn become a parishioner of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC where she became a devout member and volunteer. 

She was a person of strong spiritual faith who loved the lord and her church. She enjoyed all sports, food, cooking, gardening, and casino gaming but her greatest joy and love in life were her children and grandchildren. She worshiped her family and was thrilled with the family she helped build. She was immensely proud of her sons and five grandsons all who have become successful in their personal and professional lives. She was ecstatic that in 2021 and 2024 she was further blessed to be a great-grandmother and celebrated the birth of her two great-granddaughters that finally added feminine beauty to multiple family generations of only male children and grandchildren. 

She also amassed a devoted network of friends wherever she lived and worked, who loved and adored her. She never had an unkind word toward anyone and never met a person she did not like. She saw the good in everyone and brought joy and comfort into the lives of everyone she encountered. She will be greatly missed as she celebrates her life in eternity with God.

A Catholic service will be held on June 26, 2024 at 11:00 A.M at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 with St. Mark's Deacon Louie Paisas celebrant. Following the service, the family will hold a reception, also at Raymer-Kepner. 

Evelyn will be cremated and her ashes will be carried by her family to her final resting place in Fairfax, VA alongside her son Brian Shaffer. A graveside interment service will be held on June 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm. at the Fairfax Memorial Cemetery, 9990 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Novant Medical Center and Cancer Infusion Center in Huntersville, NC for the extraordinary care they provided in her time of need. 

In lieu of flowers or trees the family requests that all donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org 

Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com