Obituary | Rosanne ‘Randi’ Shaffer, 1935-2024

Rosanne Shaffer, better known and loved by all as “Randi”, passed away peacefully at her Piedmont home on the evening of February 18, her 89th birthday. 

Randi was born to James M. Flaherty and Nell Curran on February 18, 1935, and grew up in Tulsa, OK with her two sisters, Mary Ellen and Sheila. Humor was the currency of love in the Flaherty household, a trait Randi embraced wholeheartedly and shared generously throughout her life. 

After relocating to New York in 1946, Randi graduated from White Plains High School, and received a business degree from Westbrook College in Portland, ME. She then began a career with American Airlines as a flight attendant that spurred a lifelong love of travel and forged enduring friendships with her fellow Kiwis. 

In 1959, Randi met and married the love of her life, Ron Shaffer. For 49 years, until Ron’s passing in 2012, they made Piedmont their home. With the arrival of their three children – Curran, Brad and Grant – family formed the bedrock of their life together. The Shaffer house thrived on a vibrant blend of humor and heart. Between Ron’s dry wit and Randi’s clever quips, laughter and joy filled every corner of the Shaffer house. And every laugh was underpinned by an unshakable family bond and unconditional love. 

Randi operated on a first-name basis with the world, and her sense of humor was a gift she shared freely. She was a cherished member of various community groups in Piedmont – from the Garden Club to Hollyhock to The Cancer League – always ready to lend a hand or a joke, often blurring the lines between the two. Randi’s faith was a constant source of strength, and the Corpus Christi church community remained a mainstay in her life. 

Randi often mused about her own obituary, saying, “Make sure you say I was funny.” She was funny. And kind and generous and mischievous and sporty. And really funny. In the great cocktail party of the afterlife, Randi is undoubtedly making fast friends, armed with a warm smile, a snappy one-liner and a scotch on the rocks. 

Randi is survived by her children Curran Burfeind (David Burfeind) of Falmouth, Maine, Brad Shaffer (Tiffanie Shaffer) of Tiburon and Grant Shaffer (Alan Cumming) of New York City; five grandchildren that she so adored: Connor, Grant, Riley, Zackary and Naimah; along with a brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews. 

She will be missed dearly by her family and an incredible group of friends whose compassion and devotion meant the world to her. She leaves a void that will be filled with echoes of her laughter and a readiness to find humor and joy in every moment. 

At Randi’s request, no memorial is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cancer League in Oakland, Sutter VNA & Hospice in Emeryville or the charity of your choice.