Helen Sophia Shaw

GREENWICH Helen Sophia (Sisson) Shaw, 77, of Mahaffy Road, Greenwich, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington, Vt. where she had been a resident since June 1, 2008. She was the wife of the late Henry Shaw, who died June 12, 2008. Born April 3, 1931, in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late John and Ethel (Rouse) Sisson. She attended school in Greenwich, graduating in 1948. After graduation, she was employed in the office at Stevens and Thompson Paper Mill in Middle Falls until she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952. She was honorably discharged in 1954, and returned to New York state to work at the State Public Service Commission in Albany. On Jan. 15, 1956, Helen married Henry Shaw in Wallingford, Vt. They started their family together in Vermont, then moved back to Greenwich in March of 1957, to assist Helen's father on his farm. In 1959, Helen and Henry purchased their own farm on Mahaffy Road in Greenwich, which they operated together with their son, Dan, until they retired in 1995. Helen loved being a mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She enjoyed bird watching, reading, and sewing. She was a great cook, and made a new career for herself in the 1980s baking her famous apple pies to sell at the Bullard's Orchard Market in Schuylerville. In the last few years, she has adored her cat, Happy. In addition to her husband, Henry, and her parents, Helen was predeceased by her granddaughter, Christine Donahue, who died Sept. 1, 2005. Survivors include her four children and their spouses, David and Roberta Shaw of Simpsonville, S.C., Virginia and Dr. James Donahue of Battle Creek, Mich., Arlene and Edward "Skip" Starr of Cambridge, and Daniel and June Shaw of Greenwich; Nine grandchildren: Colin and Laura Shaw of Simpsonville, S.C., Amy Donahue of Seattle, Wash., Lisa and Marie Donahue of Battle Creek, Mich., Thomas Morris Jr. of Greenwich, and Roger, Douglas, and Gregory Shaw of Greenwich; one sister, Mildred Hayes of Greenwich; her sister-in-law, (who Helen considered to be another sister), Mabel Fredette of Rutland, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2008, at Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main St., Greenwich with Pastor Tim Bohley, officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwich Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials can be made in her memory to The American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudenville, NY 12211. Online remembrances can be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.