Andrea Schaffner, M.D. 1951-2022 Andrea Schaffner, M.D., 70, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 19, 2022, surrounded by family after a two year battle with cancer. Andrea Schaffner was born in Chicago and raised in Scarsdale, New York. She attended Barnard College in New York City, medical school at Columbia University, and served her Internal Medicine residency and Geriatric Fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was a pillar of the local medical community, practicing geriatric medicine in Essex and Middletown, Connecticut for 38 years, serving as the Medical Director of four local nursing homes, and caring for many thousands of patients across the Shoreline. Andrea was a dedicated, compassionate, and tireless physician who cared for innumerable patients during her career. She was loved by her patients and admired by her colleagues. She was also a wonderful, loving mother, stepmother, wife, daughter, and sister. Andrea and her husband Mike travelled extensively throughout the world, and she and her children shared wonderful trips to adventurous destinations, including Australia, Dubai, London, Mexico, Portugal, and Peru. Three years ago, she and Mike moved to a house in Essex that they both loved. Andrea greatly enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, and taking walks around town. Her other passions and skills included cooking, reading fiction, book clubs, gardening, canasta, and mah jong. She is survived by her loving husband, Mike Saxe, her children (Rebecca, Brett, and William Herter and his wife Isis), her stepchildren (Sam, Josh, and Gabe Saxe), her siblings (Roberta, John and his wife Susie, and Margie Schaffner and her partner Joe Lari), her grandchildren (Carolina and Sydney Herter), and her Golden Doodle Maya. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 3rd at 2:00 at Congregation Beth Shalom on 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the International Rescue Committee for Ukrainian Refugees can be made at www.rescue.org.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Mar. 23, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrea Schaffner

Sponsored by the family.

25 Entries

Judith Chapman

March 17, 2024

My husband and I will always be grateful for the care that she gave us.

Cathy Zack

September 8, 2023

Dear Mike and family,
I was shocked as I learned just now of Andrea´s passing. Somehow I missed the terrible news last year. She was a truly great doctor, in the "old school " who knew her patients well and cared about them and for them for decades. I am so saddened for you, and for her, that she did not get to enjoy her well-deserved retirement for very long. I send my deep condolences to you and her other family members.
Cathy Zack

Robert Rosenthal

June 2, 2022

I was a classmate at P&S. Very sad for her family and people that knew her well. Comforting to learn that she had a rich and rewarding life, with so many people that she touched, and many children to share her memory

George Nakano, M.D.

June 1, 2022

I was a classmate of Andrea in medical school and although I did not get to know her well, she always impressed me with her smile and outgoing, friendly manner. My sincere condolences to her family.

Nancy Garlinghouse

April 6, 2022

A dear friend for 36 years-I will miss her so much! Wonderful & funny memories of our times together and her love of books that we shared. I´ll think of her often.

Ann Deckelman Tremblay

April 3, 2022

To the family of Dr. Andrea Schaffner,
It is with our deepest sympathy that Martha Deckelman and I share in your loss. Dr. Schaffner was my mother's doctor for many years, and she missed her professional, caring way after her retirement. She was understanding and listened without judgement and personally cared for her patient. Not only was she my mother's doctor, but, I believe, my grandmother, Anna, was one of her first patients when Dr. Schaffner came to Essex. My father, John, was also a patient, and he deeply admired her. Both Anna and John have passed as well but received wonderful care while a patient. Dr. Schaffner was an extraordinary woman, and she will be missed by many.

J Chapman

April 3, 2022

My husband and I were patients of Dr. Schaffner´s for many years. I owe the fact that I am around to her as she diagnosed issues that no one else did. We could always depend on her down to earth common sense advice. She often gave us extra time and help. She also took care of my mother at Aaron Manor. We are very sad that she didn´t get more time after she retired. She certainly deserved it after so many years of service to the community. We send our deepest sympathy to her family.

Anita Amos

April 2, 2022

Andrea was my doctor for over 20 years and I couldn't have wished for a more dedicated and compassionate physician, or a more skilled diagnostician. She was also a good friend to me and my family when we moved to Essex from the UK in 1986, welcoming us to her home, and introducing us to new people and places. I feel fortunate to have known her and sad for her and for her family and friends, that a life lived to the full, and dedicated to the service of others, ended too soon.

Barbara Segen Gould

March 31, 2022

My sympathy to all of Dr. Schaffer´s family. I was a long time patient who appreciated her expertise and straightforward manner. May she Rest In Peace.

Carolyn Massaro

March 31, 2022

I am so deeply sorry for Andrea's
passing . She was my trusted Dr and friend for so many many years . From the days in her small Essex office along with Marie . Countless times she was my go to confidant for a myriad of issues .
I also was in Aaron Manor for a time .
When she would appear at my door
I would think..Thank God !
So was my faith and love for Dr. Andrea Schaffner .

Fly with Angels in peace my Friend.

Elizabeth Dailey Kvam

March 27, 2022

A remarkable woman who has left us far too soon. Her decision in our junior year to complete her English major requirements and take on a pre-med regimen was so courageous. She was a force of nature - a combination of beauty charm, intelligence and deep sensitivity rare to find in one human being.

Andrea was my first friend at Barnard. I wish I could attach a photo of our baby daughters propped up on a sofa together in September of 1980.

My condolences to this wonderful family. Your loss is huge.

I donated to The Ukraine fund as per Andrea´s request.

Dorothy Thompson

March 25, 2022

I was shocked when Dr.Schaffner´s passing was announced at noon Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows church on Sunday March 20th. She was my doctor for many years and helped me through some difficult times. She felt like a trusted friend who truly cared about her patients and would do everything possible to help them feel better and recover from their illness.
My heart goes out to her grieving family. She will be missed by so many . May she Rest In Peace.

Robbi

March 25, 2022

She was always there when you needed her, even if she were 3,000 miles away, she would say, I´ll take care of it. She wasn´t just your doctor, she was there for all of us who knew her.

Joanne Scafati

March 25, 2022

My prayers and condolences go out to Andrea's family. I had the distinct pleasure to work with her many years ago when she attended our Residents at Arden House through Yale New Haven Hospital. I always thought she was the best. Rest in Peace

The Leo Family

Planted Trees

Lois Bukowiec RN

March 24, 2022

I worked at Middlesex Health for many years as a RN. I always admired Andrea for her dedication to her patients. She was the first gerontologist that I remember working with at Middlesex. She was so smart, a breath of fresh air in the Middlesex community . I´m sorry to read that she was ill. My deepest sympathies to her children, her husband and extended family.

Gwenne and Ray Celmer

March 23, 2022

Our deepest sympathies to all those who grieve for this wonderful woman. As her patients, we were fortunate beneficiaries of the expertise, compassion and humanity she brought to her practice. She will be sorely missed, not only as a superb physician, but as a remarkable person. Our thoughts are with you.

Jackie Nelson Carr

March 23, 2022

Mike, I was heartbroken to hear this news about Andrea. I am so sorry for your entire family. What a marvelous physician she was and a tremendous loss for anyone who knew her.

Marcia Marzano

March 23, 2022

Shocked to hear of Andrea´s death and struggle with cancer. I worked with her for years at Essex Meadows and am now in Florida. My condolences to her whole family . She was a "pip"... lots of fun to work with and always responsive to the patients needs.

Leslie Watkins

March 23, 2022

Dr Schaffner was a wonderful Doctor to me and I have missed her for many years, so sorry for her family and friends. Rest In Peace.

Katherine Palaski, RN

March 23, 2022

Sending sympathy and prayers in this difficult time of loss. Thinking of you Mike

Brenda R. Smith

March 23, 2022

So sorry to hear of Dr. Schaffner's passing. My thoughts are with all of her family members.

lynne and leslie Nathan

March 23, 2022

We are so saddened to read about your wife, mother, and grandmother. We were patients of hers in Essex for many years. She was a wonderful diagnostisican, and caring human being. Both of us always felt comfort and care from her when we left an appointment.
May all of your memories and time that you had together sustain you through this difficult time in your lives.
With the warmest of feelings from Lynne and Leslie Nathan

Cathy Wade

March 23, 2022

Our sympathy to Mike and the family. Andrea was truly a dedicated MD to her patients who advocated for their care - that being the best possible. The community was blessed to have her dedication and the shoreline facility was blessed with her guidance- One that would shape the care for the geriatric population. May she Rest In Peace.

Mary Wettemann Barba

March 22, 2022

This breaks my heart. I first began to work with her when I was 19. Andrea Schaffner was strong and tough yet a caring and giving physician to both her patients and co-workers. I learned so much from her throughout the years, respected and defended her often. She was the doctor who allowed my father to die with comfort and dignity, the greatest gifts she could give to both him and our family. I will always remember you Dr. Schaffer. RIP.

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