Obituary of Ethel Howard Schaffer

Ethel Howard Schaffer, 82, of Clinton NY died on March 28, 2016 with her children at her bedside. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Ethel was a widely respected nursing instructor known for her exceptional knowledge and professionalism, creativity and resourcefulness, unrelenting advocacy for her students, and dedication to the welfare of her patients. She was born in Niagara Falls NY on November 28, 1933, the youngest child of Roy Vernon Howard and Winifred Defler Howard. She graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1951. She began her career as a Nurse’s Aide at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital while enrolled at Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing, where she received her registered nurse certification. In 1954, Ethel became a staff nurse and later the Head-Nurse Supervisor. After receiving her undergraduate degree in nursing in 1957 from the University of Buffalo, she became a School Nurse-Teacher in Niagara Falls. During the next several summers she worked part-time at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, and as a diabetes educator, a lifeguard, and the Camp Nurse at YMCA Camp Kenan in Lockport NY. In 1962, the principal at Ninety-Fifth Street School played matchmaker connecting Ethel with her fellow teacher, Robert D. Schaffer. Bob and Ethel were engaged within a year and joined in marriage on February 8, 1963, creating a loving union lasting more than 50 years. In 1964, Ethel was appointed to the Oswego County BOCES Health Occupations Faculty. She started as a part-time licensed practical nursing (LPN) instructor and within five years was working full-time and directing a faculty of five. She also taught registered nurse (RN) refresher courses at Oswego City Hospital and SUNY Oswego. Bob and Ethel moved to Clinton NY in 1971 with their two young children where she became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at SUNY Morrisville charged with developing a new curriculum for the Associate Degree Nursing Program. In 1976, she completed her Master’s Degree in health education at SUNY Cortland. During her more than two decades at SUNY Morrisville, she was chosen by her peers to serve as nursing department chair and a member of the College Faculty Congress. After her retirement in 1992, she continued as an adjunct Clinical Professor in medical-surgical, psychiatric, and pediatric nursing units. In addition, she continued in her role as a Clinical Evaluator for Excelsior (Regents) College in Albany, where she worked on weekends to help her children pay for college. She was honored by SUNY Morrisville as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 2005. Her retirement years were cut short by a slow, poignant struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ethel served her country and community by training U.S. Army Reserve officers to teach and evaluate reservists in LPN programs. She volunteered her time and knowledge to numerous groups including Hospice, American Red Cross blood banks, Boy Scout Troop 199 and district-level Boy Scout activities, preparing free Thanksgiving dinners for elderly and low-income residents, and as a trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica. A prolific artist of handmade gifts, Ethel spent many rewarding and enjoyable hours knitting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. The many dozens of Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed bears she sewed were particular favorites of a generation of grateful children. She is survived by her daughter Ruth H. Schaffer, of Venice FL, her son and daughter-in-law, Howard B. and Rachel M. Schaffer, two grandsons, Boone T. Schaffer and Mack H. Schaffer, of Takoma Park MD. She was predeceased by her husband, and a brother and sister. Calling hours will be held from 4-6pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Home, 35 College Street, Clinton NY. A memorial funeral service will follow at 6:30pm at Stone Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kirkland Town Library, 55 ½ College Street, Clinton NY 13323.