Obituary of Mildred E. Schaffnit

Mildred Eloise "Millie" Schaffnit, 82, recently of High Acres, Bemus Point and formerly of Jamestown, died at 8:11 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2010 in WCA Hospital. Born November 27, 1927 in Little Valley, NY, she was one of six daughters and one son of the late Mirl E. and Vera Dix Abbey, and graduated from Salamanca High School in 1945. A Jamestown resident since 1949, Millie was the wife of the late Dr. Robert C. Schaffnit whom she married November 20, 1954 and who died September 9, 1999. Surviving are three daughters: Patricia D. Parker and Sandra L. (Greg) Hopkins of Bemus Point, NY and Linda M. Cederquist of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; three sons: Craig S. (Debbie) Schaffnit of Casselberry, FL, Dr. Richard L. (Nancy) Schaffnit of North East, PA and Larry A. (Kimberly) Kingsbury of McCall, ID; seven grandchildren: Alisha Parker of Jamestown, Abbey Schaffnit of Bemus Point, Jarrod Cederquist of Fort Mill, SC, Scott Schaffnit of Casselberry, FL, Randy Schaffnit of Las Vegas, NV, Matthew Schaffnit of New York City and Rachel Schaffnit of Erie, PA; four great grandchildren; and two sisters: Lucille Riley of Carson City, NV and Shirley Erickson of Bremerton, WA. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by twin sons, Robert and Robin Schaffnit in 1962; a brother, Marshall Abbey in 1971; and three sisters: Eleanor Abbey in 1950, Adah Bosworth in 2001 and Verna May Douglas in 2003. Millie and her late husband, Robert, were well known in the Jamestown area and associated with the community through the chiropractic office, SS Peter & Paul Church, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and the Vikings, Moose and Thule lodges. Millie was most recently active with the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 726 as well as the Red Hat Society. Her outlook on life was always optimistic. She woke up happy in the morning. Millie was an avid reader all of her life. During the past 40 years, she expressed herself writing short stories, prose and poetry. In November of 2002 she was honored with the International Poet of Merit Award. One of her last published poems appeared in Centres of Expression, Nobel House Publishers, in 2007. This poem was written expressly to the many people she knew in the Jamestown area whom she could no longer get out to see because of aging and poor health. My Neglected Friends I may not see you often Or call you on the phone. I'm sorry when I'm not there And you are all alone. For friendship takes a lot of time, For things we want to do just so, A time to share a cup of tea, Or listen to your tale of woe. Sometimes needs do not allow us In these things to take a part. I ask that you remember That you live within my heart. Millie was a devoted mother. She was kind, gentle and understanding to everyone. Prior to her death, she expressed that she had lived a full life and was prepared to cross over beyond the veil where she now prevails in spirit. Burial will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery next to her husband, Robert. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende will officiate. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Remember The 59 Fund, c/o AMVETS Post 726, P.O. Box 731, Jamestown, NY 14702-0731; or the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.