Obituary of Gail Shafer

Mrs. Gail L. Shafer, 67, of Borden Road, Fultonville, NY died on September 23, 2023, at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, following a long battle with cancer.

Gail was born on September 14, 1956, the daughter of Lewis VanValkenburgh and Virginia Gray VanValkenburgh. She was a lifelong area resident and graduated from Little Falls High School.

For over 30 years she had worked at Liberty, most recently at the Moyer Street house.

Gail was of Christian faith, and enjoyed going to family sporting events, and doing anything that involved her family. She also enjoyed watching the Hallmark channel, and when possible, going to a Blake Shelton concert.

On July 10, 1976, at the Canajoharie Methodist Church she married Robert Shafer, Jr.

She was predeceased in death by her mother, and her brother Duane Sweet, and the family pet Dakota.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Bob; her father Lewis VanValkenburgh; daughter Erica and her husband Scott Rickard; sons, Robert, III and his wife Kristy Shafer, Michael and his wife Kristen Shafer, and Nicholas Shafer; brothers Lewis and his wife Lisa VanValkenburgh, Jr., Brian and his wife Jean VanValkenburgh, and Emmett and his wife Tammy VanValkenburgh; grandchildren Makenzie, Kylee, Maya, Kayden, Peyton, and Jordyn; great grandson Nolan; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday September 28th, 2023, from 5:00-8:00PM at the Houghtaling and Smith Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, Ny 13317. A funeral will take place at the funeral home on Friday September 29th, 2023, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn., 12110