Elizabeth (Beth) Ellen Shaffer Masurat

Elizabeth (Beth) Ellen Shaffer Masurat (72) of Waxhaw, NC passed away from heart failure on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Beth was born in West Chester, PA on December 23, 1953, and was one of six children born to the late John Irwin Shaffer, Jr. and the late Helen Snyder Shaffer. Beth graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in 1971 and received her associates degree from Widener University. Beth worked for many years at ICI Corporation in Delaware, and it was there that she met her future husband, Kurt Masurat. Together they moved to Charlotte in 1981, where Beth developed her love of the Carolina blue skies and warmer weather, although Beth always said West Chester was always in her heart and oh, how she missed the Pennsylvania snow! 

Beth spent the majority of her career as an administrative assistant at Duke Power, and as an authorized agent at The Foster Group, where she relished her role helping seniors navigate the complex world of health insurance. At the end of her life, she did not define success in terms of her career achievements, but rather by the number of her correct Jeopardy answers, cleanliness of her car, and most importantly, how often she could watch the Patriots lose.

Beth enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially if that time included a trip to Ocean City, New Jersey- her favorite place in the world. Deeply loved by her family and friends, Beth was easy to talk to and was always there to listen.

Each year, April 1st was an exciting time for Beth because it meant it was time again to put out the hummingbird feeders. Beth loved spending time watching all of the animals in her yard with the exception of the squirrel with whom she had a long-standing and deeply personal feud. She was an avid indoor gardener, whose approach to gardening is best described as equal parts horticulture and emotional support. She never missed an opportunity to serenade her plants or to tell them they were beautiful.

Beth had a talent and love for music that spanned genres, decades and moods. In her lifetime she played the French horn, piano, violin, and flute. When asked about her favorite songs, she proudly chose Bohemian Rhapsody and Tennessee Whisky but opted not to include them in her funeral in case Jesus had strong opinions on the matter.

As much as music filled her life, so did her love of reading and travel. As it says in her favorite book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, “The world was hers for the reading.” Whether she was evading thieves in Italy, getting stuck in Slovenia with a stranger’s livestock, or simply cruising around New England, there was no adventure she would not embrace. At the end of every day there was no place she would rather be than tucked properly into her freshly ironed sheets embarking on the adventure that was figuring out how on earth to fall and stay asleep. After years of chasing a good night’s rest, we take comfort in knowing she has finally mastered it.

Beth was preceded in death by her Husband, Kurt, and is survived by her daughter, Casey Masurat Tuason (Jeffrey), and daughters by marriage, Karen Jackson, Judy Moseley, Janet Hawley (David), Beverly Owen (Jay), and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Beth is also survived by her siblings Helenann Meenan (Anthony), Robert Shaffer (Sherri), and Andrea Wood (David). Beth was preceded in death by her brother John I. Shaffer, III and her sister Mary Gail Gallagher.

In North Carolina, relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 beginning at 1:00 PM at The Chapel at Morningstar, 12900 Idlewild Road, Matthews, NC 28105. Visitation will be followed by a service at 2:00 PM

In Pennsylvania, relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10-11:45am at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith and Boyd Funeral Home, Inc., 410 N. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380, followed by her Funeral Service at 12:00 PM. Interment, St. Agnes Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Union County, NC domestic violence shelter, Turning Point, or the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, 

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. West Chester PA 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com.