Fifty years ago, when my family moved to Dallas, we met Linda and her family (Mom, Dad, and brother Don)who lived across the street. I remember this
beautiful, blond, ponytailed, 10 year old girl who became like a "sister" to my daughter, Pam.  They became instant "best buds" and constant companions, as did Linda's Brother, Don and my son, Jack.  Linda was sweet
and kind, and her smile and giggle were contagious.  Never a harsh or unkind word.  Our families have been 
through a lot together in those fifty
years, and my husband and I were proud and honored when Linda referred to us as Mom II and Dad II.  So sleep well, 
daughter II, you will be in our thoughts always.

Aunt Linda, you were such a ray of sunshine in my childhood.  So sorry to hear you passed all too soon.  May you rest in peace.

Rest in peace my dear friend.  You will always be my best friend.  I will miss and love you always. Pam

Linda was my best friend since childhood.  She and I were inseparable.  If she wasn't at my house, I was at hers.  I remember lots of laughter, sharing, swimming at the pool, boyfriends and the Beatles.  She was the sister I never had. She dearly loved her kids and grandkids. Linda was my maid of honor at both of my weddings.  The second time, she told me "This is the last time." I will miss her very much. She was beautiful, inside and out.  Rest in peace my dear friend. I will miss you and love you always.  Pam

I remember meeting Linda in Dallas in the 70's. She was full of life,  happy, and I thought she was so pretty.  Linda was kidding around with her brother Don, her father, and mother.  Linda loved her parents. It showed.  Very loving family....  my thoughts and prayers go out to her family, and may all your memories bring you comfort.

Linda and I always had so much fun gathering the cousins together for various activities.  To this day they are all close because of the good times in Texas.  I'm thankful God gave me the gift of a visit with her six weeks before her passing.  
Sisterinlaw Sandy Belsley

I just loved Linda! I will miss her dearly.  Thanks to Brian that I ever had the pleasure of knowing her. She was beautiful and she will stun the Angel population in heaven!  Prayers and thoughts are with the family. God Bless.

Rest in peace, Linda. You are loved and missed.

"Remembering My Sister, Linda Marie Gerz Shaw"

Upon hearing of her death, my childhood friends said that my sister Linda “glowed,” that light seemed to surround her.

In fact, the word “light” is most often mentioned when people who knew her speak of Linda.
 
They remember Linda’s golden blond hair, often in a ponytail.  To this day, they still say they think of her as “a darling, vivacious girl with long blonde hair.”

One even said that Linda reminded her of Shirley Temple.  All say she was full of life, so happy, and so very pretty.  They tell me other girls wanted to be as attractive as she was.
 
All who knew her say they will remember her always.  Certainly, as her brother, I can never forget her.
 
Linda was born to Donald and Grace Gerz in 1950.  My fondest memories of her date from our time together as brother and sister with our parents at 909 S.E. 11th Street in Grand Prairie, Texas from 1950 to 1962.

During those 12 years of school, vacation days, times with relatives and friends, playing outside and inside, helping our mother and father around the house, studying, and during scores of other activities, Linda and I shared the wonderful time of childhood.  She was the perfect sister, and I was proud and fortunate to have been her brother.  I still am.
 
Linda attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School in Grand Prairie, Texas until we moved to Dallas in 1962.  She graduated from St. Monica Catholic Grade School in Dallas.

She graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas, an academically rigorous college preparatory school.  She went on to earn numerous college credits at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
 
She married Roger Shaw, and they began to raise a family.  Brian was born in 1970, and Kevin followed soon after.  In 1980, their daughter Tiffany was born. 
 
I spent some time with Linda six weeks before her death.  I have to say that I could still see a bit of Shirley Temple in her.

And I could still see the long blond hair in a ponytail, the light that used to surround her, and the fullness of life within her.  That light, that unending life was still in her until the very end of her allotted time on this earth.

My sister Linda is gone from this place, but her spirit lives where light never yields to darkness.  I know because Linda my sister was and is light itself.

Linda Marie Gerz Shaw, 60

Linda Marie Gerz Shaw of Garland, Texas died on December 23, 2010 at her apartment.

Linda was born on May 10, 1950 in Dallas, Texas to Donald A. and Grace (Baldwin) Gerz, Jr., both of whom preceded her in death.

She was a 1968 graduate of Ursuline Academy in Dallas and continued her education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

She enjoyed all social gatherings, family celebrations, travel, conversation, creating and organizing family photo albums, and especially cooking for her friends and family.

Linda is survived by her three children, Brian Shaw and spouse Renee, Kevin Shaw and spouse Angie, and Tiffany (Shaw) Murphy and spouse Brian; her seven grandchildren, Samuel, Brooke, Kate, Joseph, Ruthie, Paul and Avery; Roger and Cindy Shaw, the father and stepmother of her children; her stepmother, Rose Williams; her brother, Donald Gerz, III and spouse Carol; and her niece Andrea (Gerz) Glasofer and nephew Paul Gerz.

Linda Marie Gerz Shaw will be remembered always for her kindness and the light she brought into every room she entered.

Her memorial will be on Monday, January 17 at 5:00 P.M. at Primrose at Park Place Apartments, 202 North Belt Line Road, Garland, TX 75040, 972-495-9092.  All are welcome.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

MEMORIAL for Linda (Gerz) Shaw: Monday, January 17 at 5:00 PM, Primrose at Park Place Senior Housing Apartments (Meeting Room in the Office Building), 202 North Belt Line Road, Garland, TX 75040, (972) 495-9092.

OBITUARY

Linda Marie Shaw

May 10, 1950 – December 24, 2010

Calvary Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery

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