On August 14, 2026, Shirley Gaffney passed away peacefully in Pikesville, Maryland. She was the ex-wife of Henry H. Gaffney, Jr.; devoted mother of Dr. Kevin C. Gaffney (Dr. Monica Grifffin) and Dr. Laura R. Gaffney; loving grandmother ("Grammy") of Colin Gaffney (Yiyi Jin), Dr. Patrick Gaffney, Victoria Gaffney, and Nicholas Huppman; dear sister of Theresa Horn and Gloria Zuckerman (Barry); and longtime companion of Michael Stockert.

Shirley was born in Bound Brook, NJ to Joseph and Mary Giaretta. She graduated from Trenton State Teachers College in 1955 and achieved a Masters of Education Administration at The American University in 1977. She was an Elementary School Teacher from 1955-1959 and 1970-1980.  She started a second career as a Training Specialist at the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office and served for 33 years. In her leisure time, she loved ballroom dancing and watching operas.

The family will receive friends at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd. Towson, MD on Friday, August 28th from 9:30-10:30am at which time the funeral celebration will begin. The interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park, 12800 Veirs Mill Rd, Rockville, MD.