Sherl Eileen Shaw

Sherl Eileen Shaw was born April 6th, 1953 to Emmett and Patricia (Grandma Pat) Shaw in Tulsa, OK. Sherl departed this earth on July 23rd, 2020 at her home in Colorado Springs, CO. She was raised in the family home in Barnsdall, OK and graduated from Barnsdall High School in 1971. She moved on to Norman, OK to attend the University of Oklahoma where she graduated in the Spring of 1975. She then moved to Chickasha, OK and began a brief teaching career. She then moved to Duncan, OK and took a position as a Systems Analyst for Halliburton. A couple of years later, she returned to Norman and began working on her master’s degree and working for the University where she eventually completed her Masters in Human Relations. In the mid 90’s she moved to Colorado Springs where she took a job as a Systems Analyst for MCI. She then took similar positions with Verizon and FedEx and retired from FedEx in 2019. Sherl remained in Colorado Springs until her departure.

Sherl was the perfect blend of her mother’s caring nature and her father’s joyful wit. She inherited her father’s work ethic, ever aware of the lack thereof by the generations that followed her. She has often repeated the phrase, “Find a job that makes you happy and you will never work a day in your life.” By those standards Sherl rarely worked a day in her life.

Sherl always loved the outdoors and loved to travel, as long as they didn’t include weather over 80° or greater than 50% humidity. She loved to ski and golf, and could often be found at Breckenridge every other weekend from November until April. Even after breaking her leg and elbow in consecutive ski seasons, you couldn’t get her off the mountain.

Her love of nature extended far beyond the mountains. Sherl’s second love was animals. She always kept one or two cats around, and spent many weekends visiting zoos. Every time her family would visit her when she lived in Norman, a trip to the Oklahoma City zoo was guaranteed, and every time she visited family in Oklahoma or Texas after she moved to Colorado a trip to the zoo would soon be on the itinerary. Her love of animals extended across the globe, from safaris in Africa or through charitable contributions to many zoos across the nations.

To her family Sherl was bigger than life. She had a passion for family, life, adventure and her Oklahoma Sooners. She was the best birthday present a mom could ever have, and the best aunt anyone could ever wish for. Despite the distance she was always there when it mattered, and always had a joke or a hug when it was needed.

At the core of her existence was her love for Jesus Christ. Her commitment to Christ only solidified and enhanced the best of her character. Despite her 14-year battle with cancer she remained faithful and full of hope until the end. She lived a Christ filled life and shared his love. That love radiated out to those who she came in contact with. She endeared so many people into lifelong friendships with her due to this warm nature. Throughout her battle with cancer, Sherl served her community through the Stephen’s ministry, supporting people who were also going through difficult times in their lives. For many years, she led a women’s bible study in her home. She was a blessing to friend and family alike. Her father once wrote, “You were the nicest thing that ever happened to us.” And those of us who knew Sherl, shared his sentiment and would be hard pressed to disagree.

Sherl now walks the streets of heaven with her father Emmett Shaw and sister-in-law Terri Shaw. Sherl is survived by her mother Patricia Shaw of Bixby, OK, her brother George and Laura Shaw of New London, PA, her brother Stephen Shaw of Barnsdall, OK, nephew James (Jimmy) and Beth Shaw children Noah, Ainsley, and Eden of Bixby, OK, nephew Stephen and Rachel Shaw children Evelyn and Christian of Rowlett, TX, nephew Dylan Shaw of Washington DC, niece Shannon and Ryan Dodge of New York, New York, her cat Little, and many loving friends.