MARIA COUTROUBAKI SHAW

(1935-2025) It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Coutroubaki Shaw on December 7, 2025, in Toronto, at the age of 90, from Alzheimer's. Maria is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph Shaw; and children, Alexander and Robin. She also leaves behind her treasured grandchildren, William, Elias, Joseph and Zoe. Maria grew up in Cairo, Egypt, in what was then a thriving cosmopolitan community and loved to share fond memories of her childhood including family outings, being surrounded by her beloved dogs, and eating mangos which she picked herself from trees right in her own backyard. From a young age, it was apparent that Maria was an ambitious student and her family, recognizing her capabilities supported, in every way possible, her goals and dreams. After attending The American University in Cairo for her bachelor's degree, Maria travelled to Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania to pursue graduate studies in Archaeology. Here she completed both her Master's and PhD. While working on the excavation of Corinth on mainland Greece, Maria met Joseph Shaw who became her husband in 1965. After moving to Canada in 1971 to raise their children and pursue academic teaching and scholarship, Maria was hired by the University of Toronto, eventually becoming a Full Professor and teaching Art History and Archaeology there throughout her career. In the mid-1970s, Maria and Joseph began laying the groundwork for the excavation they would lead each summer at the site of Kommos in Southern Crete. Over the next three decades, Maria and her husband joyfully welcomed and mentored countless students at the excavation, many of whom went on to careers in the field. In 2006, Maria's contributions to Aegean Bronze Age archaeology were celebrated with the AIA's Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement which she shared with her husband, Joseph. This award recognized both their three decades of shared discoveries at Kommos and Maria's leading role in the field of Minoan wall painting. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and an extraordinary scholar, Maria will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she was a part of.