Mom of Two Killed in Devastating American Airlines Crash
Photo: gofundme
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A North Carolina family is grieving the tragic loss of Wendy Jo Shaffer, a devoted wife and mother, who was among the victims of the deadly American Airlines crash on Wednesday, January 29, in Washington, D.C.
Shaffer was identified as one of the 67 people killed when an American Airlines plane collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter. Authorities have confirmed there were no survivors.
Now, family and friends are remembering Shaffer as a woman with a contagious, “unwavering spirit.” Shaffer, a loving mother to two young boys, ages 1 and 3, was deeply committed to her family. In a heartbreaking statement, her husband, Nate Shaffer, shared his devastation over the loss of his wife, per People.
“We will miss you more than words can express, Wendy Jo. I love you endlessly,” he said. A GoFundMe page has been launched to assist with funeral costs and support the future education of Shaffer’s children. The fundraiser describes Wendy as a “radiant soul” who “dreamed of watching [her sons] grow into the amazing individuals she knew they would become.”
The crash claimed the lives of a diverse group of individuals, including five plumbers’ union members, 14 U.S. figure skating team members, three soldiers aboard the helicopter, and four crew members of the American Airlines flight.
The tragedy marks the deadliest U.S. air disaster since a November 2001 American Airlines crash that killed 260 people. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident, seeking answers to what caused the catastrophic collision.
As the Shaffer family mourns their unimaginable loss, they have received an outpouring of support from their community, who are rallying behind them during this time of grief.
