Dorothy Teresa Schaffer
Age: 83
Date of Death: November 18, 2024
Port Charlotte, FL
Dorothy Teresa Schaffer was born to Charles Rugless and Beryl Toledano in Kingston, Jamaica on June 3, 1941. She is the oldest of Beryl's four children. Her father, Charles Rugless, had five other children in addition to the four he shared with Beryl. Dorothy is preceded in death by both her parents, her two brothers, Leroy and David Rugless, as well as her sister, Lillian Rugless Gray. She is survived by her sisters, Joyce Harris and Janet Laird. She's also survived by her two brothers, Vincent and Everton Rugless, and her step-sister, Claudette Barrett. Dorothy grew up and finished secretarial school in Kingston, Jamaica. She promptly went to work in order to help support her family. She especially supported her mother, who was generously provided for until her death. Dorothy was an extremely hard and dedicated worker. She was very much appreciated by all of her employers. Dorothy migrated to the United States in the 1960s looking for better work opportunities. It was during those days that her sister Lillian Gray recommended she start a Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses. She took this kind advice, dedicated her life to Jehovah and happily was baptized on March 26, 1969. She attended the Lincoln Congregation in Brooklyn, New York. On April 24, 1971, Dorothy married the love of her life, George Shaffer who had also become a baptized Witness in the same congregation. Together they had two children who sadly did not live very long after their birth. This caused the couple deep pain and sadness, along with emotional scars which Dorothy carried in her heart. Dorothy always looked forward to the time when Jehovah will resurrect her small children back into her loving arms. Soon after those experiences George and Dorothy moved to New Jersey. There they worked and lived for many decades until eventually retiring to Port Charlotte, Florida. As a young woman, Dorothy lived with and helped raise three of her nieces, Colleen, Claudette, and Sharon Gray. The hope of her resurrection brings them great comfort at this time. Dorothy leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends who grieve her departure. These ones are consoled by the fact that she and George are no longer suffering and look ahead to the time when they will wake up refreshed, with new bodies, fresh minds, and peaceful hearts in God's new world to come.
