Morris Township, New Jersey
Happy Grandma and Cook
hen Barbara A. Shaw combined her two favorite off-duty roles, that of grandmother and cook, the results were magical. "Her grandson was her pride and joy," said Melissa Singlevich, Ms. Shaw's friend and co-worker at Compaq. "She was the person that would walk around and say, `You've got to look at the pictures.' We'd all laugh and say, `O.K., show me the pictures.' "
At 18 months, her grandson, Ryan, was an eccentric eater, but she would not be discouraged. She made him boats of zucchini, filled with spaghetti sauce and peas, topped with a flag and little passengers, said her daughter, Janine Van Riper.
"Every time she came over she let him tear apart her purse," Ms. Van Riper said. Ms. Shaw, 57, a computer executive, was a dutiful daughter as well, making a three-hour round trip at least every other weekend to visit her 88-year-old mother in Pennsylvania, said her brother, Ron Rysztogi. Three years ago, Ms. Shaw moved into a new house in Morristown, N.J., in part because it gave her more room for cooking. "She found a place that had the kitchen she always wanted," Mr. Rysztogi said. "It's just a shame she didn't have it that long."
I randomly pick a few names from the list of people that we lost on 09/11 every year, and I picked Barbara's this year.
Although I never knew her, she seemed like a wonderful human being who cared deeply for the people she loved most. May she live on in the memories and the hearts of the people who knew her, and I'm so appreciative of the opportunity to read about who she was. May she never be forgotten.
Anonymous
September 11, 2024
Incredible friend...miss her always both as friend and co-worker at Burroughs
Yvonne Price
September 11, 2021 | Marshfield, MA | Friend
i know that i don't know this woman, and many do. my grandma's name is also Barbra A. Shaw and this just hits my heart. I know it's been forever since 9/11 but this could always be said. Have a great life!
June 14, 2019
It's been 16 years since I lost my mom. On this anniversary my son is at the United States Air Force Academy. He is serving because of my mom. He was 2 and loved her beyond measure.
Janine
September 12, 2017
I had the privilege of working with Barbara when she was with Compaq. And she was a joy - positive, professional, and upbeat. I learned so much from her.
I was with a small company, but Barbara saw the good in us, helped us, and sold with us. She helped us with her accounts, with our accounts, and I'd like to think we offered her some value - but she helped me way more than I could ever help in return...
As the years have gone by I think of her often. I so wish she was with us...
James Watkins
September 11, 2017 | Redmond, WA
https://vimeo.com/135185926
I did not know Barbara Shaw at all, but her name will forever be in my head. It was the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 that I went to the Garden of Reflection and took footage and made a video about it that night with all the Bucks County victim names in the footage only to learn that there were not 17, there were 18. Barbara's name was added to the list after the etched glasses were made. I felt so guilty for missing her name and never forgot it, but that video brought some attention to those...
Joe Brennan
December 15, 2015 | Philadelphi, PA
I had the honour (Canadian spelling - not incorrect) of working at Compaq with Barbara here in Toronto and in New York. I have such fond memories of our time together and think of her often. I feel for all the victims of 9/11 and their families.
Stuart Lewis
May 11, 2014 | Toronto, ON
I will remember Barbara for the rest of my life. She was a friend and mentor in a way that is not seen today. She brought humanity to business and made the workday fun. She was kind, funny, generous and a great cook. Miss you forever.
Sheila Porcelli
September 11, 2013 | Bridgewater, NJ
I worked with Barbara at Compaq. I live now in Lower Makefield and go to the Garden of Reflection every Sept. 11. She was a wonderful person and I do miss her. God Bless you Barbara
Scott Richards
September 15, 2012 | Sellersville, PA
