Mary J. Shaw

Mary Jean Shaw, daughter of the late George and Mollie Pearl Shaw, was born on her grandparent’s farm in Macon, Mississippi on May 3, 1951. Mary cherished her early farm life years. Her grandparents, the late Richard and Vinie Sanders nicknamed her "May Jean". Mary was the great-granddaughter of a Native American Indian, the late Mollie Kirks, who was often torn between life with family on a reservation and that with the world outside of it. Mary likewise found herself torn between different places when she, along with her older siblings and her parents, migrated away from farm life to find greater opportunities for success in the St. Louis metropolitan area. She retired from the Hazelwood School District. Mary was employed there for 19 years as an elementary school principal. She started her career in education as a teacher at Compton Heights. She later moved on to work in the Jennings School District. Mary attended elementary school at Holy Angels. She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1970. She graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Harris Stowe College in 1974. While at Harris Stowe College she pledged the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She later received her Master of Education degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1979. Dear sister of both Georgia M. Shaw and Emmett D. Shaw who preceded her in death; dear sister of Danella P. Shaw; dear aunt to nephew Gregory Brooks Jr. and wife Vicky Brooks; dear aunt to Taylor and Tyler Brooks; dear godmother to Melanie Turnage; dear god sister to Kristyl Johnson; dear cousin to a host of others; dear friend of many. Mary died at home on August 22, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease. She will be buried alongside her parents and two siblings at St. Peters Cemetery. Success is not found only in power, position or prestige. It is discovered in truth, goodness, humility, service to others and character. Thus, Mary Jean Shaw was a successful person. The success in her life is not determined by accumulation but by contributions. Mary was honorable, honest, fair, tolerant, charitable of others and a gentle person, which in itself is a success. Those who were lucky enough to know Mary deem her friendship their good fortune. She lived decently, laughed often and cared much. In lieu flowers...please consider a donation to Parkinson's Association PO Box 61420 Staten Island, NY 10306 or go to: apdaparkinson.org

Mary J. Shaw

May 3, 1951 - August 22, 2024