Helen Hardie Martin Shaw

An avid bridge player and lively conversationalist, Mrs. Shaw taught bridge at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and organized bridge games at Lambeth House on a regular basis. She was known for her love and generosity to her friends and close knit family. In addition to her four daughters, she is survived by three sons-in-law, Ralph, Jerry and Sonny, and 11 grandchildren, Donald Nalty, Jr., Morgan Shaw Nalty, Helen Nalty Butcher, Elizabeth Nalty Smither, Thomas Carter Ross of Washington D.C., Andrew Campbell Ross Helen Hardie Martin Shaw passed away March 29, 2009, age 89 years. She was surrounded by her four daughters, Elizabeth Shaw Nalty (Donald J.), Nina Shaw Ross (Raphael III), Helen Shaw Joseph (Gerald F. Jr.), and Laura Shaw Shields (Lloyd N.). She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Morgan L. Shaw, her parents, Alice Hardie Baldwin and Fontaine Martin, her siblings Fontaine Martin Jr. and Nina Martin Williams, and her son-in-law Donald J. Nalty. Mrs. Shaw was educated at Miss Edith Aiken School, St. Joseph’s Academy in Bay St. Louis, and Mrs. Hale’s Business College. She received an honorary degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, where she served on the board of directors. In 1938 she was the first secretary to headmaster Ralph Boothby at the newly established Metairie Park Country Day School. Mrs. Shaw was a lifelong volunteer, active in education, historic preservation and the Presbyterian Church. She was president of the PTAs at Lusher and Louise S. McGehee Schools, vice-president of the Junior League and named Sustainer of the Year in 1972. While president of the Board of Managers of the Christian Woman’s Exchange in 1970, the Hermann-Grima Historic House was designated an historic property by the Department of the Interior. Mrs. Shaw actively served three terms as an ordained elder, most recently at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and as president of the Women of the Church of the Presbytery of the South. She was registrar for the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Louisiana and named to the National Roll of Honor of the Colonial Dames of America. She was on the board of the Orleans Club, president of the literary society Friday Afternoon Club, and Chairman of the Residents’ Council of Lambeth House. of Atlanta, GA, Ashley Joseph Wallace of Richmond, VA, David Cleveland Joseph, Stephen Shaw Joseph of San Francisco, CA, Robert Edward Edgecombe III of Chapel Hill, NC, and John Hardie Edgecombe. Great grandmother of 18. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Visitation from 9:00 AM until service time. Interment to follow in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., NOLA 70118 or Lambeth House Foundation, 150 Broadway, NOLA 70118 preferred. LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME in charge of arrangements. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com