September 12, 1952 — April 1, 2025
With heavy hearts, we share with you that Kathy Shafel passed away peacefully in her Vashon home surrounded by her wife Shelley Hibbard and Hospice family.“Shafel”, as she was always known to her closest friends, was a contributing member of our Vashon community for many years.
Shafel was born to Francis and Louis Shafel in Antigo, Wisconsin. Coming from her large family of Polish potato farmers, Shafel was extremely proud of her heritage. Her father died when she was 4 years old, and her mother became the principal of the local primary school, where Shafel attended. She later went to boarding school at St. Bede’s Academy in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After working with preteens and young children with psychiatric challenges, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marriage and Family Life from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Her family of enduring friends grew in the tiny town of Meridean, Wisconsin, where she lived on a homestead farm with other young women, some of whom moved to Vashon in later years. In 1980, she met her life partner and wife of 45 years, Shelley Hibbard, and they moved to Vashon Island.
Shafel began her work life on Vashon as the director of the Vashon Children’s Centre, housed in what is now the Vashon Island Heritage Museum. Later life experiences led her to nursing, and she achieved the RN degree from Tacoma Community College. She ultimately specialized in Hospice nursing with Providence Hospice of Seattle.
Shafel worked with doctors, pharmacists, caregivers, families, and patients of the Vashon-Maury community, and her kindness and skill in this capacity is widely acknowledged. Known for her huge heart and notorious sense of humor, she made significant contributions to numerous volunteer activities. She was a “Friend of Bill W.”, founding member in the Vashon Gay Pride Alliance, and an RN for Camp Erin (a camp for grieving children).
She was also instrumental in organizing and facilitating the Family Caregivers Support Group, which meets weekly to emphasize sharing stories of personal challenges in caring for loved ones. Further, she and Shelley have generously supported friends in need throughout the years. Shafel was born to help, and she always did in any way she could.
Shafel loved being the center of attention, telling stories, playing pinochle, hosting holiday gatherings, cooking and eating great food, traveling, and laughing A LOT. Shelley said,“Whenever Shafel made a friend, she never let them go.” Shafel loved her family and their farm with all her heart. Boisterous, loving, and generous, she will be forever known for her indomitable spirit, blunt humor, and potato salad (the best!).
Shafel leaves behind her wife Shelley, brothers Ricky and Danny Shafel, sister Judy Fregetto, nieces Julie and Katie Fregetto, nephew Tim and niece Kristen Shafel, grand-nephew Oliver and grand-niece Camila. She will also be sadly missed by many cousins, extended family, and members of her chosen family.
A celebration of Shafel’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to Providence Hospice of Seattle or the Vashon- Maury Island Land Trust.
