WILLOUGHBY HELEN MARIE (SHAFFER) Mrs. Helen Marie (Shaffer) Willoughby of Sewickley, PA, beloved wife of Robert, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford, PA on May 27, 2016, at the age of 88. Helen is survived by her children, Richard Willoughby (wife Linda) of Honolulu, HI, Robin Willoughby Gooch (husband David) of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Dr. Ross Willoughby (wife Mary Ellen) of Fox Chapel, PA. She had six grandchildren, Christen, Robert, Erin, Eric, Ian and Mathi who adored her; and four great-grandchildren, Lilly, Violet, Christian and Cora who lovingly knew her as GiGi. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert Willoughby; her parents, Carrie Snyder Shaffer and Clark Christian Shaffer; and her siblings, Howard, James, Jean and Lorraine. Her surviving sisters, Lucy (husband Richard) States and Ruthie (husband James) Ridge will miss her dearly. Helen was born on December 18, 1927, in Dry Ridge, PA to Carrie and Clark Shaffer. She graduated from Punxsutawney High School and moved to Pittsburgh to further her education. She married Robert Willoughby, the love of her life, June 12, 1948. Over the years, the couple welcomed three children into their home and Helen became a full time stay at home mother. After providing opportunities for all of her children to attend college, Helen became an Account Manager at Advertising Distributors of America, the company her husband founded and served as President. Later in life, Helen helped her son Ross with his company Global View Publishing as a Fulfillment Manager. Her children remember her as a kind, driven, loving mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams in life. Her grandchildren will remember her for wonderful cooking, a big heart, and never forgetting a birthday! Helen was an accomplished artist and enjoyed yearly outings to Cooks Forest National Park with her sisters to paint and play cards. She was dedicated to her family, faith, and country. Our family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support in many heartfelt forms. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memories become a treasure, and Helen left her family with immeasurable (priceless?) treasures. Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice Home at Wexford, 146 Neely School Road, Wexford, PA 15090, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Private family funeral arrangements are planned by the RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME, INC., Sewickley, PA. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
