Mariann Poyer Shaffer
Enfield, NH – Mariann Poyer Shaffer passed away on September 5, 2025,
at Sunapee Cove Memory Care under hospice care. She was born June 8,
1940, in Brooklyn, NY, to Julian Stanley Poyer and Anne Bergeson, and
was raised in Bayside, NY.
After graduating from Bayside High School in 1958, Mariann attended
the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, having
previously participated in an early admission summer program there
while still in high school. She earned a degree in Performance and
Public School Music and continued her vocal studies as a coloratura
soprano in New York City, where she was also working at the time.
Mariann married LTJG USN Howard C. Shaffer III on June 6, 1964, in
East Williston, NY. The ceremony was officiated by Howard’s father, a
minister. Mariann toured with the Glovsky Opera Company for three
seasons, while continuing her vocal studies in both New York City and
Boston.
She found a way to continue her musical career in the many locations
across the United States and abroad, including performances in
California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New
Hampshire, Virginia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Enfield.
In 1989, while living in Northboro, MA, Mariann served on the local
Arts Council and received a three-month fellowship in Arts Management
from the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She later
returned to Massachusetts to become the first Executive Director of
the Assabet Valley Master Singers.
Mariann was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law,
homemaker, and a friend to many. Throughout her life, she gracefully
navigated numerous moves due to her husband’s career. In 2002, Mariann
and Howard retired to their beloved home on Mascoma Lake in Enfield,
NH, where they built a strong community of friends.
A woman of faith, Mariann taught singing in Sunday School and was an
active member of the Women’s Fellowship at Community Lutheran Church
in Enfield, where she and Howard were longtime members.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Howard Shaffer; her son
David Shaffer and his former wife Linda of Massachusetts, and their
children Alexandra, Harrison, and Mitchell; her son Peter Shaffer and
his wife Maryanne of Connecticut, and their children Guy Thomas and
Victoria Anne; nephews Karl Fornander, Daniel Shaffer, Matthew
Shaffer, Joseph Shaffer, and Kyle Shaffer; and niece Kim Fornander
Shell.
Mariann was predeceased by her brothers, David and Robert Poyer; her
sister, June Poyer Fornander; and her nephew, John Mark Shaffer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at
11:00 am at Community Lutheran Church. Interment of ashes will take
place at Oak Grove Cemetery at a later time. In lieu of flowers,
donations in Mariann’s memory may be made to Community Lutheran Church
of Enfield, NH. (PO Box 450. Enfield, NH 03748)
We want to thank all the Caring and Wonderful Caregivers who made this
journey with us. DHMC, Hygeia, Christina’s Caregiving, Sunapee Cove
Assisted Living and Memory Care, Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse
Association and Hospice.