Nancy Denise Shah

passed away on August 21, 2024 at the age of 64 due to breast cancer. Nancy was born on September

9, 1959 in Baltimore, MD to Dr. Saleem Alam Shah & Theresa Ann Shah. Nancy is survived by her

beloved fur baby Abby, and 5 sisters: Susan Shah-Blake (Roger Blake), Lisa Beck (Paul Beck), Clare Fisher

(Pat Fisher), Nargis Shah-Ricketts (Steve Ricketts) and Melissa Shah. She is also survived by 6 nieces, 7

nephews, and 3 great nieces.

Nancy graduated from Catonsville High School in 1977. She started her Public Safety career at the age

of 20 with the Division of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the MD House of Corrections in Jessup

in 1980. Nancy continued her career with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office on 12/27/1982 and trained

in the Baltimore City Police Academy.

In her 40.9 years of service, she has served under 7 Sheriffs and 7 County Executives. During her time, she has worked in the Landlord Tenant Unit, Summons Service Section, Court Services Section, and the Administrative Section. Nancy was one of the 4 experts in Maryland during her time in the Writs of Executions unit. Nancy has participated in numerous community events, including National Night Out, the Howard County Fair, MD Special Olympics and the American Cancer Society in Maryland Walkathon, to name a few.

Nancy had played softball for over 20 years & managed the Sheriff’s office Chicago softball team, the Deputy Dawgs. She shot pool in a Women’s League for several years in both Baltimore City and

Baltimore County.

When Nancy retired as Deputy First Class she broke 4 records: the longest employee of the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Longest Active Female Law Enforcement Officer in Howard County and Maryland as a whole and is believed to be the Longest Active Female Law Enforcement Officer in the United States!

Nancy loved all her fur babies, now deceased Sierra and Sable. She also loved making crafts—she was especially gifted with seed beading and cross-stitching and enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends to commemorate their milestones. She enjoyed completing home repairs and landscaping. She also loved hosting movie nights, game nights and playing cards with friends. Nancy also loved hosting pool parties for her family and friends. And finally, Nancy really loved her Keystone beer, steak and steamed crabs!

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to either the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

A visitation for Nancy will be held Friday, August 30, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sterling Ashton Schwab Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. A visitation will occur Friday, August 30, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. A visitation will occur Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 31, 2024 and will approximately start at 1:30 PM at the funeral home.