Helen Marie Welch Shaw

Helen Marie Welch Shaw, 81, of Sayre passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at home surrounded by her family after a very courageous battle against cancer.

Helen was born in Towanda, Pa., on Sept. 13, 1931 to the late Eugene and Alice Dunn Welch.

She attended St. Agnes School graduating in 1950 then attended College of Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. In January 1953, she married the late David "Dusty" Shaw Jr. in Sayre, Pa., where she made her home.

In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother through the years, Helen also was employed at The New Park Hotel (now known as the Brie Marie Inn), Nocchi's Hoagie Stand, finishing her career working several positions in the Guthrie Healthcare System where she was well known and respected.

Helen's faith was very important in her life, she was a member of the Church of the Epiphany for 60 years. She was a member of the Sayre Redskin Club and the Epiphany Altar and Rosary Society. She volunteered for years for Sayre Little League and Epiphany School. She was an avid bingo player in the Valley. She loved anything green and Irish. She was an avid decorator for every holiday. One of her most favorite places was Yanuzzi's. She loved Notre Dame, N.Y. Yankees and Sayre Redskins. Her biggest pleasure in her life was her family.

She is survived by her children Mary Cochi, Maureen (Harry) Howland and Margaret (Joe) Barry of Sayre, Joseph (Colleen) Shaw of Livonia N.Y., David III (Kathy), Michael (Beth), James (Sandra), Kevin (Karen) and Timothy (Jennifer) Shaw all of Sayre.

Grandchildren David F. IV (Sarah), Justin, Jordan (Jessie), Christopher (Morgan), Bridget, Devin, Gabrielle, Ashley, Erica, Chelsea, John, Michael, Mary Kate, Patrick, Elizabeth and Molly Shaw, Megan (Douglas) Gilson, Kara Cochi, Katelyn and Brian Howland and Liam and Declan Barry.

Great-grandchildren David V (DJ), Peyton, Benjamin, Hogan, Jack and Lily Shaw and Wyatt Schneider.

Sister-in-laws Margaret (Ray) Graboski of Elmira, N.Y. and Agnes Shaw of Vestal N.Y. and Betty Welch of Sayre, Pa. Cousin Mary Kerwin of Rochester N.Y.; nieces and nephews Gene Welch, Georgia, Teresa Welch, Georgia, Mary Kay (Chris) Mitchel, Virginia, Shannon (Michael) Avakian, Virginia, Ray (Marie) Graboski, Lansdale Pa.

She was preceeded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers James, Robert, John, Eugene, and Gerald; her son John Mark; grandson Ryan Patrick Howland and granddaughter Suzanne Marie Cochi; in-laws David and Margaret Shaw, brother and sister-in-law Joe and Nancy Shaw, sister-in-law Gloria Welch and niece, Natalie Morris.

Friends and family may call from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 at the Alteri-Bowen Funeral Home, 314 Desmond Street, Sayre Pa.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 at the Church of the Epiphany, 304 South Elmer Ave. in Sayre. Burial will follow in the Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, Pa.

Memorial donations may be made to: Sisters of Mercy, 35 Terrace St., Dallas, Pa.; St. Agnes School Scholarship Fund, 102 Third St., Towanda Pa.; Christmas is for Kids, 193 S. Keystone Ave, Sayre, Pa.; JE Wheelock Fire Company, 217 Frank St., Sayre, Pa.; Sayre Little League, P.O. Box 444, Sayre, Pa., or to a charity of one's choice. Memories and condolences may be expressed and shared by visiting the website of www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.