It is with great sadness to announce on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Dr. Mark E. Shaffrey of Charlottesville, Virginia, unexpectedly passed away at home. Mark is survived by his parents, Edwin and Eleanor Shaffrey of Hunt Valley, Maryland; his college sweetheart and wife of 39 years, Caroline (Smith) and their four children Curran of Charlottesville, Virginia; Tori of Scituate, Massachusetts; Anne of Brooklyn, New York; Aidan of Blacksburg, Virginia, and their five dogs; oldest brother Dr. Chris Shaffrey (Katie) of Durham, North Carolina; and youngest brother, Tim Shaffrey (Julie) of Reisterstown, Maryland. Mark’s life journey began during an epic snowstorm in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania at Delaware County Memorial Hospital on January 31, 1961. For the next 63 years, Mark would prove many times over that no snowstorm or any challenge, for that matter, was too difficult for him to overcome. The list of those whose lives he touched and improved are far too numerous to include in this tribute.

Eleanor Shaffrey encourages you to share a memory on our site in honor of Dr. Shaffrey. The family would be deeply grateful.

Mark attended St. Joseph’s High School in Huntington, West Virginia, and Graham High School in Bluefield, Virginia, for his Senior year graduating in 1979. He proudly attended Virginia Tech where he demonstrated academic excellence graduating Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, and Outstanding Student Award in Research and Academics in the Department of Biochemistry. He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Biology in 1983. He was a life-long learner who enjoyed any and all academic challenges. Medicine was his life-calling and would be the source of his intellectual passion and pursuits that would allow him to serve the greater good for decades to come. Mark entered Medical School at the University of Virginia, where he joined his oldest brother, Chris, in the Fall of 1983. While at the UVa Medical School he was awarded the Armed Forces HPSP Scholarship, Ethel Bowen Scholarship, and Alpha Omega Alpha. He earned his M.D. in 1987.

Ironically, Mark and Chris would follow similar paths: Mark enlisted in the United States Air Force and Chris the United States Navy; both would pursue Neurosurgery as their field of specialty upon the start of their Residency. Mark was a Neurosurgical Resident from 1988-1994; Chief Resident in 1993-1994. Mark’s Air Force commitment took them to Ocean Springs, Mississippi where he was the Chief of the Neurosurgery Division at Keesler USAF Medical Center in 1996-1997. Once his Air Force obligation was fulfilled, he and Caroline returned to Charlottesville where Mark joined the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center as Associate Professor and Vice-Chairman from 1997-2003. He served as Co-Program Director for Neurosurgery Residency Program from 2003-2006, Co-Director of the Neuro-oncology Center since 1997, and The David D. Weaver Professor and Department Chairman of Neurological Surgery from 2008 until the time of his passing.

Unbeknownst to everyone who knew him, Mark was a highly decorated clinician earning numerous awards and recognition. His accomplishments in Neuro-oncology were many. These were never mentioned by Mark, however, because he was a man of great humility. His Academic and Professional achievements included over 150 professional publications, routinely listed as one of the Best Doctors in America, recognition on multiple Who’s Who lists, America’s Top Surgeons, Patients’ Awards, Compassionate Doctor Award, Most Honored Professionals list, Leading Physicians, and many more year after year. He was an active member of many Professional Societies including but not limited to the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Neurological Research Society, Society of Neuro-oncology, and Society of Neurological Surgeons.

Mark was blessed to have been raised in a home of strong faith, kindness, caring and character. He was a healer, a mentor, a confidante, and a trusted, loyal friend who made a lasting impression on every life he touched. He was a servant leader beloved by patients, staff, and colleagues alike. Mark and Caroline’s home was always open to the multitude of Residents, Attending and Visiting Professors whose commitment to patient care left them stranded in Charlottesville over holidays away from their own families. They would be treated to Mark and Caroline’s warm and generous hospitality which would include phenomenal wine, food, and lively conversation.

While his professional achievements were many, Mark’s greatest joy and fulfillment came from the life he shared with his loving wife, Caroline, their four children, and the community of misfit creatures they adopted along the way. And of course, Virginia Tech Hokies football. Mark glowed with pride as he watched his children move through their young lives and have grown up to exhibit the same virtues passed from their grandparents, to Mark and Caroline, and on to them as their own journeys continue. His children will hold memories of Mark over Christmas, pouring every ounce of himself into researching the perfect gifts for each of them, walking through art museums and likely knowing more than any placard or guided tour, and regularly introducing us to our newest favorite bands.

The Shaffrey family would like to express their profound gratitude to the immense outpouring of support and sympathy from the UVA Medical Community including Mark’s work family, The Department of Neurosurgery, The Charlottesville Garden Club, and Esther Desimini, along with the Charlottesville Catholic School community.

To honor his legacy and lifelong dedication to Neurosurgery, the NREF has established the Dr. Mark E. Shaffrey Memorial Fund to continue his commitment to advancing neurological science and improving patient care: nref.org/mark-e-shaffrey/

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.