Born in Buffalo, New York, to Sherman and Mabel Dallas, she grew up in Kearny, New Jersey, where she met and married her husband of 53 years, Charles Shaw. The couple reared two children.
A lover of well-chosen words and witty banter, Mrs. Shaw fed her need to read as a library aide at Bridgewater-Raritan High School West for 15 years. She previously worked as a laboratory assistant at Congoleum Nairn Inc. and as a service representative for the New York and New Jersey telephone companies.
She and her husband retired to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in 1984, where for 20-plus years when they weren’t traveling she volunteered at the Bargain Box thrift store, sorting and pricing books – and “borrowing” mystery novels to devour. The pair traveled extensively to Latin America, North America and Europe, often with friends.
In 2009, Mrs. Shaw moved to Brookdale Imperial Plaza in Richmond, where she made new memories with friends in the library, around the bridge table and playing Rummikub. A singer and piano player earlier in life, she was a fixture at the Monday evening music performances, and a frequent audience member at weekly movie showings.
Mrs. Shaw was predeceased by her son Kenneth at age 20, her brother Sherman F. Dallas, and her husband. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn Shaw of Richmond, nieces and nephews, and long-time friends who include Mrs. Donald Salerno of Florida and Dr. Anthony Cardell of Pennsylvania.
A celebration of her life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8, in the Virginia Room at Brookdale Imperial Plaza, 1717 Bellevue Ave., Richmond.
Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity or to The Bargain Box, 546 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, ATTN: Sandy Entrup.
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