Marilyn Jane Shaw James

1926 - 2021

Marilyn Jane Shaw James
Born: April 16, 1926 in Chicago, IL
Died: June 30, 2021 in Culver City, CA
Marilyn Jane Shaw James, 95, former DeKalb Resident died at home in Culver City, California on June 30, 2021 in the loving care of Hospice and her family. She was born April 6, 1926 in Chicago to Louise and Harry Shaw. Her big sister, Phyllis, immediately tried to trade her for a bull terrier. Her lack of success lead to the most radiant of filial relationships which superseded death itself, the sisters dying 11 years apart to the day. Marilyn met the love of her life, Eugene "Nelson" James, when she was 3 weeks old and he was 7 years old. Nelson was in the company of his Aunt Eleanor and Cousin Marilyn, also 3 weeks old. The "Two Mimis" (as the Marilyns called themselves) were BFF's long before the term came into fashion. Things continued with Marilyn thinking of Nelson as her BFF's Big Cousin and Nelson thinking of Marilyn as his Baby Cousin Marilyn's BFF until 1948. At Cousin Marilyn's Wedding, Marilyn was the Maid of Honor and Nelson the Best Man. The band played "Some Enchanted Evening" at the obligatory dance between the wedding attendants. Nelson said ever after, "Suddenly, when I took her in my arms she wasn't Little Marilyn Shaw anymore. She was the woman I wanted to dance with for the rest of my life." They were married June 17, 1950 in Chicago and moved immediately to DeKalb where Nelson was on the English Faculty at Northern Illinois State Teacher's College (N.I.U.).
They welcomed daughter Katherine in 1952, lost an infant daughter, Laura Ellen in 1955, and then opened their hearts and homes to their sons Jim and Mark. Daughter Caroline completed the family. Marilyn was a full-time mother and homemaker for the next decades of her life. First last and always, family was the most important thing in her life. In addition, she was an active and vital member of this community. For The First Congregational Church she sang in the choir, served on committees and various leadership positions, and helped create the knitting group that made layettes for underprivileged babies. For The Stage Coach Players she was backstage, onstage, president, committee member, and biggest fan. You name it, she was involved. She was in Drama Club, helped open the Historic Egyptian Theatre among others. She was active in everything her children were involved in from Girl Scouts to The Children's Community Theatre. Everyone knew if you needed help with anything, whether personally or as a member of the community, you could count on Marilyn to be there for you. In addition to being a supportive faculty wife, she was a proud member of The American Association of University Women. A graduate of Senn High School in Chicago in 1943, Carthage College (summa cum laude) in 1947, with a Master's Degree from The University of Iowa, and always cared deeply about girl's and women's education. With her children grown, Marilyn went back into the work force with The Family Service Agency placing caregivers in homes and as a substitute teacher. Her life long passions were family, travel, friendships, theatre, classical music, sewing, knitting, crocheting, fashion, shopping, pets, food, fun...and partying.
After her retirement she and Nelson moved to Southern California in 2005 to be nearer to their daughters. They found a good church home, continued to enjoy theatre and concerts, and formed wonderful friendships. But for Marilyn, when she said "Home", she always meant DeKalb. After Nelson's passing in 2013 she continued to live independently, driving and babysitting for grandchildren and celebrating family events. After a fall confined her to a wheelchair and made independent living no longer an option for her in the fall of 2017, she lived as full a life as she could and never missed a party. Her record was checking herself in and out of a single hospital visit 3 times against medical advice so as to be able to attend a family Christmas Eve Bash and 2 great-grandchildren's birthday celebrations. And although her Facebook Motto says, "Now I am 95. It does have its limits!!" her love was limitless. Her family is fully convinced Marilyn and her beloved Nelson are forever young, forever free, and forever dancing to "Some Enchanted Evening" in a fabulous party in Heaven.
She is survived by Her Children: Jim (Angie) James of Parkton, NC; Mark (Chris) James of Ashland, WI; Katherine (Alan Blumenfeld) James of Culver City, CA; Caroline (Nick Berrisford) James of Los Angeles, CA. Her Grandchildren: Amy James; Jordan (Eleni) Blumenfeld-James; Nathan (Ariana) Blumenfeld-James; Chloe Berrisford; Harry Berrisford; Jonathan (Katie) DeBates; Jessica (Jeff) Lance.
Her Great-Grandchildren of whom the California Contingent lovingly called her "GG": Katie (Chris), Payton, Jacob, Persephone, Athena, Wolf, Lucy, Shayla, Lily, Connell, James, Rayden, Skylynn, Jeffrey Junior. Her Great-Great Grandchildren: Rylan, Nora. Her Nieces and Nephews: Ruth, Paul (Adrienne), Peter. Her Great Nieces and Nephews: Simon, Michelle (Jarod), Tara (Sean), Walter (Rae), Sara (Justin). Her Great-Great Nieces and Nephews: Madison, Micheala, Kolton, Luke, Juliette, Diego, Josie. Her Great-Great-Great Niece and Nephew: Harper, Jensen. Special Cousins: Judy, Jeremy. Related Still By Heart: Elena, Kim, Charity.
She is predeceased by Her husband, Nelson, by whom she will lie at Fairview Cemetery; her daughter Laura Ellen (1955) also at Fairview; her sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Harold; her BFF Marilyn and her husband Fred, Nephew David (Meg).
Her life will be Celebrated in DeKalb September 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. at The First Congregational Church of DeKalb Illinois with reception to follow next door at The Elwood House Museum. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in her honor to: First Congregational Church (uccdekalb.org); Stage Coach Players (stagecoachplayers.com/information/donate-to-stage-coach-players/); PBS Radio (northernpublicradio.org/classical-wniu); North Shore Animal League America (animalleague.org/ways-to-give/tribute-gifts/). "We are all just walking each other home." Ram Dass