Marian Kysar Shaw

Marian K. Shaw of Oxnard, CA passed away on May 21, 2023 in Raleigh, NC after a short illness. She was born to Vernon and Edith Kysar on August 18, 1929 in Hays, KS. Marian grew up in Quinter, KS, with her parents, three sisters and two brothers, in a close and loving family. She was on the basketball team and ran track. At age 13, she started played the piano at Quinter Methodist Church for soloists and church hymns. This began her life-long love of music.

After graduating from high school in 1947, Marian entered the University of Kansas where she obtained a B.A. degree in Education. In her freshman year she joined the university Methodist student group and met the love of her life, Warren Shaw. They were married on August 20, 1950. In 1952, they moved to Oxnard where Warren accepted a position in Port Hueneme, CA at the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory (NCEL). They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000.

Marian taught English and Reading from 1965 to 1994 at Haydock Junior High School and Fremont Junior High. During that time she obtained a Master’s Degree in English. She loved teaching and inspired many students. Well into retirement she would be recognized by former students who would introduce their families to her and express gratitude at having been in her class, frequently mentioning how she had introduced them to classical mythology.

Along with music, history, literature, musicals and other classic movies, Marian loved poetry. At her retirement ceremony at the Oxnard School District Board, she shared this verse.

“Then let us live a pure life, a shining life!

Already yesterday is lost. Was it bad? Was it beautiful?

Let it be forgotten. And of that yesterday, let there remain only the essence,

The precious gold of what I loved and suffered as I walked along the road.

Today, every moment shall bring feelings of well-being and cheer and the reason for my existence.

My most urgent resolve will be to spread happiness all over the world,

To pour the wine of goodness into the eager mouths around us …”

Marian was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was always at the center of her thoughts. She was well-known for thinking of others before herself. Her family and friends loved her for her intellect, kindness, wisdom and wit.

Marian was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard for almost 70 years. She taught Sunday school, was President of the Women’s Society, chaired various committees, and sang in the choir.

Marian loved music and was an accomplished pianist. From childhood she would play the piano while she and her three sisters sang in beautiful harmony. She accompanied many performances at Haydock/Fremont and performed a piano solo at St. Paul's every year until she was 90 years old. Her family and friends will never forget the legacy of beautiful music and wonderful memories she left them.

Travel was always important to Marian and Warren, and it became much more so after their retirements. They always had the spirit of adventure and wanderlust and the desire to experience as many wonders of the world as possible. Marian and Warren were fortunate to make many trips to Europe, Asia, Africa, and throughout North America.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband Warren, and her sisters Dorothy Jamison and Shirley Jamison. She is survived by her sister Kathy Howard; her brothers Douglas Kysar and Gilbert Kysar; her sons Wayne and Brian; her granddaughters Victoria Carter, Isabella Shaw and Penelope Shaw; her great-granddaughters Christabelle Carter and Arabella Carter; and many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. For these relatives and her many close friends, life without her will never be the same.

“Can it be in a world so full and busy, the loss of one creature makes a void in any heart so wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of a vast eternity can fill it up?”

Charles Dickens

A private burial service will be held at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura, CA. A public Celebration of Life will be held on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1800 South C Street, Oxnard, CA. A reception will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or to the donor’s favorite charity.