Ruth Blakeslee Blakeslee Shaw

Ruth Blakeslee Shaw was born on September 15, 1917, in Baltimore MD. Her parents were Katherine and Wilber Blakeslee and she had two older brothers, Kenneth and George. She remained close to her family throughout their lives. After her graduation with a BA in Psychology from Goucher College in Towson, MD, she married the love of her life, Dr. Morton R. Shaw, Jr., and moved with him to Corning, NY where he joined Corning Glass Works as an Electrical Engineer. Mrs. Shaw took up volunteer work in educational, cultural, and humanitarian areas. Among the organizations with which she participated were the American Red Cross (which was very active in the war effort during WWII and the Korean War), the American Association of University Women, the DAR, the Republican Party, and the Experiment in International Living. With the latter organization, she organized home visits in the United States for individuals from all over the world - most unusual in small-town America in the late 1950s and 1960s. Their first child, Nancy Katherine, was born in 1944 and their son, Christopher Worthen, was born in 1948. After the children were older, Mrs. Shaw resumed her studies in Psychology, earning an MS degree in School Psychology at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. With this credential she, worked as a Psychologist for the North Carolina Department of Social Services and at Dorthea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, where she provided psychological services. She and a few colleagues collaborated in establishing a residential facility for patients of Dorthea Dix who, as a result, were able to live in the community. She maintained a long-lasting relationship with residents whom she encouraged to call her at home.

Mrs. Shaw and her husband enjoyed exceptionally active and long lives, passing away at their home in their late 90s, having lived together happily for 73 years. Mrs. Shaw is survived by her daughter, Dr. Nancy Hemmes of New York City; her son, Chris Shaw of Waynesville, NC; her grandchildren, Josh, Alex, Jennifer, and Todd; and her great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC. A memorial Service will begin at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a contribution to an organization of your choice in her memory.

Online condolences may be made to www.MitchellatRMP.com