Mom of 2 Among Victims of American Airlines Plane Crash, Remembered for Her 'Unwavering Spirit' and 'Radiant Soul'

Mar. 15, 2025

Wendy Jo Shaffer with her family.Photo:gofundme

gofundme

A North Carolina family is mourning the loss of a wife and mother who waskilled in the American Airlines crashon Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Washington, D.C.

Wendy Jo Shaffer was identified as one of the victims of the mid-air collision that authorities believekilled all 67 memberson both the plane and the U.S. Army helicopter.

Now, Shaffer’s family and friends are remembering her as someone with a contagious “unwavering spirit."

Shaffer was a mom of two boys, ages 1 and 3, who was dedicated to her children and husband, the family says.

In a statement, her husband Nate Shaffer spoke about his devastating loss.

“I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare, but I fear this is the truth,” he said in a statement on Thursday; a family member confirmed his note to PEOPLE.

Wendy Jo Shaffer.Wendy Jo/Facebook

Wendy Jo/Facebook

“We will miss you more than words can express, Wendy Jo. I love you endlessly,” he conitnued.

In aGoFundMeset up to assist with her funeral costs and children’s education, Wendy is being remembered as a “radiant soul” who “dreamed of watching [her sons] grow into the amazing individuals she knew they would become.”

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The other victims included five plumbers union members,14 U.S. figure skating members, three soldiers on the helicopter and four crew members of the American Airlines flight.

source: people.com