Vesta Gertrude McKay Shaw entered this world on 18 September 1922, the youngest child of Edward Charles McKay and Florence Venita (Baxter) McKay. Vesta was named for a battery that her dad sold in his automotive shop in Hannibal, Missouri. Years later Vesta learned that Vesta was also the Roman goddess of the hearth but she always preferred the battery story. After graduation from high school, Vesta left Hannibal for Detroit in 1941, squashed in a two-seater coupe with her sister and family, Katy, Walter and Jimmy Larsen. With three-year old Jimmy lying in the rear window and no thoughts beyond tomorrow, Vesta took only a grocery sack of summer clothing for her new adventure. Years later after a visit to the Hannibal home she missed, Vesta wrote a poem reflecting on her happy childhood. (attached below) A few weeks after moving into Katy's apartment, Vesta met Edward Benjamin Shaw, the son of the manager across the hall. Eddie Shaw loved Vesta from the minute he saw her until the day he died in 1995. He invited her for a ride in his new Buick with a musical horn and he proposed every day until she accepted. It took 6 months of picnics at the lake, movies, amusement parks, picking huckleberries, and best of all, rides in that shiny car. After taking her home, Eddie would whistle a signal from his window to hers so they could talk late into the night. "You and I" the theme of the Maxwell House Coffee Time radio show was their song, and Eddie whistled it to her daily, then and throughout their life together. After Vesta and Eddie married 10 January 1942 they moved to a top floor apartment in downtown Detroit. Vesta said she was such a kid the neighbors always heard her coming because she ran down the stairs and jumped on each landing. Vesta hauled their first three children, Carol, Edward (Ted), and Tim up and down those three flights, no longer running, until 1950 when they bought a little home in northwest Detroit. Scott arrived in 1955 to everyone's surprise and delight. Vesta, wife, mother, homemaker, was proud of these adjectives and excelled in them. Vesta became involved in Recovery, Inc. attending and leading meetings for 40 years. Her poetry was printed in the Michigan magazine. Most people read the Bible. Vesta studied it. She read theology, histories, studied geography and word origins, and researched church dogma. Vesta read her Bible daily underlining in red and taking notes. Her quiet study reinforced the complete faith that sustained her every day. Vesta and Ed taught Sunday School for many years in Detroit and Boyne City. In 1977 Ed took his small town girl to Boyne City where they happily retired. In winters they camped in the southwest visiting children and grandchildren along the way. They spent months in Arizona and New Mexico deserts hunting rocks with their little Schnauzer, Isaac. After Ed died in 1995, Vesta lived in their much loved home continuing to visit family until she suddenly left us on 22 December 2014, just as quietly as she lived. We like to think that Eddie Shaw zoomed up in that shiny black Buick playing his musical horn, so she hopped in and they took the scenic route to heaven. HANNIBAL, MISSOURI By Vesta Shaw Little river town nestled in the hills Each time I revisit, never fails to thrill Mark Twain's writing have brought you fame But to me, you remain the same Large old homes, tall shady trees Bring back childhood memories Walking on the curbings, skating in the street Sliding in the snow, warming near the heat Playing in the quarry, climbing on the rocks Making little dolls from hollyhocks Playing hopscotch, jumping rope, flying my kite Catching lightning bugs in a jar, on a summer night Tagging after sister, pestering big brother for dimes Secure and carefree, they were happy times To spend the day at R's house, we all liked to go Tiny little grandma, how we loved her so The aroma of Mother's cooking, dressing, pie, and roast Everything good to eat, but homemade soup I liked the most Mother never cross, gave us patient, loving care To listen and to comfort, when needed always there Tho the miles may separate us, we are not far apart You are often in my thoughts, and always in my heart Celebration of Life Friends and family will gather in Boyne City, Michigan, on June 20, 2015 to participate in a Celebration of Life for Vesta G. Shaw. Please contact Carol Abram for time and location.
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