Dorothy P. (Shaffer) Tomazich

Dorothy Pauline Tomazich, age 95, of Findlay Township, Imperial, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025.  Dot was born on March 15, 1930, in Oakdale, PA, daughter to the late Anna Mae (Turek) and Ulysses Grant Shaffer; loving wife to her husband of almost 57 years, the late Jake Tomazich, who passed on March 23, 2006; beloved mother to her children, Jim (Cindy) Tomazich, Bruce (Laurie) Tomazich, Karen (Jack) King, and Alan (Sandy) Tomazich; cherished grandmother to Jamie (Scott) VanEpps, Lindsay (Chris) Polard, Kali (Josh) Cooke, Kori Jo (Dustin) Nally, Bradley (Brianna) Kuzio, Kristy (Jon) King-Hopkins, Jordan (Kaitlyn) Tomazich, and Jarrett Tomazich; adored great-grandmother to Max and Jake VanEpps, Rory, Ty, and Halle Polard, Abbagail and Ellie Cooke, Jaden, Uriah, and Asher Nally, and Stevie Rose Kuzio; treasured aunt to her nieces and nephews.  Above all, Dot, aka Mom, Gram, Gigi, and Aunt Dot, was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt.  In addition to her parents and husband, Dot is preceded in death by her siblings, Harvey Shaffer, Ulysses “Sonny” Shaffer, Sarah Whipkey, Edith Cook, and Gloria Van Balen.

Dot met Jake in 1946, and they married in Niagara Falls on July 1, 1949.  They spent their years together following polka bands, attending SNPJ functions, building up the community of Imperial, and raising their family.  Dot’s spirit, strength, and grace with which she lived her life will be remembered always, as will her love of Halloween, legendary apple pies, and her willingness to open her home and help a neighbor.  Polka on!

Following Dot’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service.  A private inurnment will take place at Valley Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to HERRICK COMPASSIONATE FUNERAL SERVICE, PC, Edward M. Herrick, Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Road, North Fayette Township, Imperial, PA, (724) 695-7332.  It is respectfully requested that donations in Dot’s memory be sent to the West Allegheny Food Pantry, P. O. Box 527, Imperial, PA, 15126, or to one’s favorite charity.