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Mary Shaw Obituary
Mary Lynn Shaw was born in Cleburne, Texas on November 8, 1939, residing in Phoenix, Arizona since 1991. Mary passed away on March 20, 2010 at the age of 70. Mary was one of nine children. She was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Betty Sue Russell and Juanita Mitchel, and 3 brothers Junior, Bill and Don Russell. She is survived by 2 sisters, Wilma Neff, Virginia Perkins, and 1 brother, Rex Russell. She is also survived by a loving husband of 52 years, Donald Paul Shaw. Also surviving are 3 children, Paula, Kevin, Rick and his wife Wendy Shaw, and three devoted granddaughters, Alissa, Bailey and Jessi Shaw all of Phoenix, AZ. There are too many other family members to mention that will miss a mother, aunt, friend, and a special lady. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Due to Mary's love of animals all donations may be made in Mary's name to the Arizona Humane Society.
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Emily Lynn Frey and Great Grand Father Don
Don Shaw
March 12, 2014
it now is almost 4 years since we lost Mary. I still and always will love and miss her, more than you can imagine . Someday we will be reunited in Heaven. Mary is now a Angel doing Gods work, looking after all of her family and friends. I talk to here every day...it makes my life so much better, sometimes I feel her presence, that might sound weird, but so comforting when I feel she is close. We now have a Great Grand Daughter and we know that Mary is proud and watching over her also.
Bailey Shaw
September 5, 2011
Umma, you are missed so dearly and never a moment forgotten. I still hear your voice everyday, encouraging me to do my best at everything i do. I know you come to see me at work all the time, you always did love Cracker Barrel. Some days are harder then other, but no days are easy. The longer i go without you, the more sorrow i feel. there is such a vast loneliness is my life without you. Love you Ummy Boom
Misty Peterson
May 26, 2011
I can't believe a yr has come and gone since our family lost a wonderful woman... sometimes you forget how much of an effect one person can have on a family especially a family as big and as close as out family is... i look at my grandmother everyday and i am great full that she is still with us but it also puts a sadness in my heart knowing that all of her family have already gone before her... I love you Aunt Mary and miss you very much
misty peterson
paula shaw
April 27, 2011
Hi Ma,
You truly now know how much you have always meant to me, sometimes I have no idea where I can get the strength to go on....then I tnink about how strong you were and I toughen up. Our little Alissa is getting married on Saturday to a wonderful man, we are so blessed to be able to add Camron to our family. I so wish you were here to help us celebrate, but, I know your spirit will be with us.....
I love you my precious little momma,
P.J.
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Alissa Shaw
April 27, 2011
Umma,
I am getting married in 3 days and I never though I wouldnt have you here to share in this day. I wish you could have met Camron, you would love him so much. He treats me like a princess, and i know you are proud of us.
I know this sautrsday, April 30th, you will be smiling down on us from heaven and I will feel you there.
I miss you more than anything, and my heart aches for you.
I love you, my dearest Umma.
True Love is forever and always....
Donald Shaw
March 23, 2011
It has been 1 year since we lost Mary, I do take solace in that she is now doing Gods work looking over all of us and in some way still with us. This past year has been hard as Mary was the heartbeat of the family. it is said time heals and that may be true, but how does it heal a broken heart...I miss her so much she made life worth living and for 52 years of marriage it seem like a blink of an eye and then gone. There is no amount of expressing my feelings of how much I loved Mary and still do, as I know some day I will be with her.
Mary has been gone for 1 year, but not really, she is still in my heart... I talk to her every day and they really helps me as I know she is watching out for not just me but all family, friends, and anyone who needs help.
February 12, 2011
Oh Umma, I ache so much to taste your sweet, soft cheeks, see your beautiful smile and hear your Angel voice. Never thought that life could go on after you, yet it has. It's Christmas eve and i can hardly bare not having you here in the flesh. Memories flood to my heart and i grasp to what you taught me- to get through it all. Ummy, sweet Ummy, Thank you for loving us all SOOO with all my love-Bailey Dawn Shaw 12-24-2010
February 12, 2011
Umma-
I never had the privilege to meet you but from what I've heard and have felt from your loving family, I feel loved. I pray that you would have loved me. I promise to take care of your Granddaughter for all of our lives!I pray to meet you one day when i get to heaven.
February 12, 2011
I am Thankful that as a family, we are enduring...
ma you are so very, very missed, but I know you are getting to be with grandma, grandpa, Diane, Uncle Don, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Juanita, plus all of our lost babies. Cookie is so very missed too... I know she is having a wonderful christmas with all of the other babies & her very special Grandma.
Love and miss you more than words can express-
-Paula
Kevin Shaw
February 12, 2011
My mother was a simple person, she did not need a fancy car, or a big house - It was the little things that made her happy. Just like a Sunday morning drive, or just going get a snow-cone. I Believe she coined the phrase " It's better to give then to receive " She was always willing to give away any of her possessions, to anyone she believed needed it more than her. I was her baby boy. God knows i was far from perfect and she was always there to pick me up and make me feel worthy. God had a purpose for me, I'm not sure why i was blessed with such a wonderful mother because she was the epitome of a Mother. She was not only a mother to her birth children, but a mother so many others she touched.
February 12, 2011
Umma, I love you and miss you. not a day goes by that i don't think of you. Sometimes my heart is literally breaking, But then i remember that you're in a better place and it is selfish of me to wish you were here. you touched so many, and i was so blessed to have has so much time with you. Merry Christmas, I know you are have a better one than any of us can imagine! I can't wait until the next christmas i will spend with you.
Love & miss you so very much
-Alissa
February 12, 2011
What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a Buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across
the grass and looses itself in the sunset.
-Blackfoot warrior 1830-1890
poppy and bailey christamas 2008
Bailey Shaw
February 12, 2011
Umma's house with amazing AZ sunset
Bailey Dawn Shaw
February 12, 2011
Umma,
The precious memories come flooding back to me everyday and night. I smile and am filled with awe, yet the tears just pour out of my heart. You visit me in my sleep often, and have come to give me some special messages. Many times in my dreams you let me know that you are on your way and i get in a frenzy of trying to pick up the house and give you clean linens, but you always show up before I am finished, letting me know that it will all be ok. sometimes you visit me, and you tell me what needs to be done and other times you show me the beauty that you knew hear on earth, somehow showing me your memories of us growing up. I talk to you all the time umma, my Ummy boom. It is so hard to understand that i cant greet you in the kitchen and kiss your soft sweet cheeks. i could go on and on about all the simple, pure, moments we all treasure. I am in complete peace knowing that your not far and i will never have to feel alone or scared. I trust that you, and God are helping me to follow my path. You truly are a special soul, the breath of life that flows through us all. I love you with all my aching heart,
Briana Kingham
February 11, 2011
Mary was an amazing woman who brought joy and light with her everywhere she went. Everyone who had the pleasure of being in her company was truely blessed. She influenced so many people, and she will always live on through them. Mary will be missed dearly..
Jenny Drake
February 11, 2011
Umma, I was truely so very blessed to have had you in my life. You taught me so so much over the many years that I knew you. You were like a mother to me,always so encouraging, loving, and always willing to just listen when I needed it the most. You have instilled so many values in me and taught me so many great lessons in life. I am the person I am because of you! You were the best influence I could have had while I was growing up. I miss you like crazy and miss your encouraging words and the way you could make me smile no matter what! I am so lucky to have such a beautiful angel watching over me everyday and I can only hope that someday I could be half the amazing woman that you were. I love you so much and I would give anything to have just one more of your bear hugs and to see your beautiful smile just one more time. I love you Umma <3
My Soulmate
Donald Shaw
February 2, 2011
52 Years of the most wonderful time of my life... Mary was truly my soulmate...there is no words to express how much I love and miss her. I could write volumes of what she meant to me and how sharing she was. I only hope I can carry on her legacy. it has been almost 11 months since we lost her, and there is not a second she isn't on my mind and heart.
There is no doubt, she is in heaven doing God's work, and someday I hope to be with her.
alissa shaw
April 29, 2010
umma,
you are my best friend. i miss you every single day. i want to talk to you so bad and hear your laugh. i want to tell you about all the wonderful things that have been happening. i wish you could come with me and jessica to the ufc fight because you and i always watched it together. i hope i am still making you proud. you taught me to love god and this whole thing has brought me much closer to god. i have the comfort of now not fearing death, but instead looking at it as the day that i get to be with you again in a place much more amazing and wonderful than this earth. i love you umma, more than anyone could possibly understand.
Jessi Shaw
April 27, 2010
Umma I want to call you every single day. Theres nothing i wouldnt give to just crawl up in bed with you and watch your movies now. My hearts breaking but i stay stong and try to make you proud with everything i do. Nothing fills the void i have left. I hope to half the wonderful woman you are, and that you raised me to me.
Bailey Shaw
April 24, 2010
I love you a bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck
A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep
About you, about you
'Cause I love you a bushel and a peck
You bet your purdy neck I do
in this photo from left to right is juanita, virginia, wilma, and mary lynn all of the russell sister together
April 5, 2010
Ricky Shaw
April 2, 2010
Mother, I can never say how much you meant to me, I will think of you every day of the rest of my life and never forget your ever giving heart. All that I am and will be are due to your great gifts to me throughout my life with you. You will be missed more than you could imagine.
Your loving son,
Ricky
Jan Oldham
March 31, 2010
Mary was such a great lady. Very precious and special. It was an honor to know her. I send my love and prayers to my dearest and best friend Paula, Mary's beautiful granddaughters, Don, Kevin, Rick and Wendy.
Judy Stone
March 31, 2010
This is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life is tell my Aunt Mary goodbye. I believe in God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and their promise that one day if we believe we will all be together again. Bye Aunt Mary, I love you and will always miss you. Dailey prayers are being said daily for the family.
God Bless.
Judy Stone (neice)
March 31, 2010
I'm writing this on behalf of Wilma Neff (Aunt Mary's beloved sister).
You will never know how much she misses you already. She is heartbroken and is having such a hard time believing you are gone from us. A day didn't go by that she didn't ask us if we had heard from you or that you had called her and how much she loved talking with you. You brightened her days and her life. She knew you were coming to Texas for a visit and she couldn't wait to see you. We have told her you are now with Grandma and Grandpa and all your loved ones that have gone before us and are filled with peace and joy now.
Uncle Don, Ricky, Kevin, and Paula your calls have meant so much to her. She loves all of you so much and if she could she would be there with you to hold you and support you through this time of grief. Just know she with you in her heart and soul. SHE LOVES YOU!
Our Love and Prayers,
Brenda and Wilma Neff
Laura Peterson
March 30, 2010
I've been blessed to have known most of the family and Aunt Mary was one that helped to make wonderful memories for me.
I remember her laugh, her beauty and her love for her family and animals (all animals).
Eventhough she left behind so many brokenhearted, I know that in heaven she is rejoycing with her mother, her daddy and so many others who have gone before us. And with the beleif in our Lord Jesus Christ I know that one day we will all get to have a great family reunion like she's having now.
Your sister, Virginia misses you so much and I miss you too Aunt Mary.
We Love you Uncle Don, Ricky, Paula, Kevin and all the rest. You're in our prayers always.
Laura Peterson
MITZI MCFARLAND
March 30, 2010
I HAVNT HAD THE PRIVLAGE TO MEET MOST OF THE FAMILY BUT I AUNT MARY WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL SO FULL OF LIFE LADY. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN BLESSED AND THE WORLD HAS BEEN A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF HER.
LOTS OF PRAYERS GO OUT FOR ALL
LOVE U AUNT MARY
Amie Vonalt
March 30, 2010
Dear Umma,
I just want to tell you how much I love you. The last few years have gone by so fast, but I hope you know that you were in my thoughts are prayers often. I will always remember all the great times we got to spend with eachother. The couple times I came and stayed at your house in the summer will be some of my favorite memories forever. I will do the best I can to be there for everyone. You are all my family no matter what happens in life.
Poppy, Paula, Uncle Kevin, Uncle Rikky, Baily, Jessie and my little sister Lis... I love you all so much!
Love Always,
Amie
Paula Shaw
March 29, 2010
Oh Mother I miss you soooo much, I am trying so hard to do everything right and uphold your memory with respect and dignity......you were so very amazing, I am sorry if I did not let you know that enough~~
I love and miss you more than words can express
PJ
misty peterson
March 29, 2010
I loved Aunt Mary very much and I will miss her very much... Every time I start to think of Aunt Mary it brings tears to my eyes not for sadness but for the happiness of meeting and having such a wonderful woman in my life. I LOVE YOU AUNT MARY AND SO DOES YOUR SISTERS VIRGINIA ANN AND WILMA JOE AND YOUR BROTHER REX...
nelda moore
March 28, 2010
My Aunt Mary was so beautiful and I loved her very much. I lift this family up in prayer and my Jesus Christ help you find peace and calmness in the loss of this loving mother,wife, and my Aunt. I am Nelda Moore, Juanita Mitchell's daughter ,sister to Aunt Mary. They are together today.Smiling and laughing with my Grandma Russell.No one can ever take her place in my heart.I LOVE YOU AUNT MARY. Nelda Moore and family....
Debra, Cesily, Westley & Adrienne
March 28, 2010
Condolences to Don, Paula, Rick, and Kevin
You will remain in our prayers and hearts..
Paula Shaw
March 28, 2010
Mother, you now know how very much I love you and I so depended on your wise words on a daily basis. The house is so very quiet, and I miss the mornings with you. I hop that you truly knew how much you meant to me. You were my best friend, my mentor, my guide and my rock...so much more than a Mother.
I love you
PJ
Louella Henry
March 28, 2010
Mary Lynn was my best friend from the 6th grade all through high school. We lost contact when she moved away but I thought of her often( and her family). She was beautiful and loving. The best friend a girl could ever have. It breaks my heart to think that she is no longer here but I know that God needed her. Don, my thoughts and prayers are with you as I know how much you loved her as she did you. You will miss her I know but someday you will be with her again. She truly was a wonderful person.
March 28, 2010
I can't put into words how much I will miss Aunt Mary, she was my rock throughout my life. My life is empty without her, but, I know what she would expect of me and that would be to stay strong and keep her with me in my heart and know that she is with our Lord and smiling down on us.
My love and prayers are with you every moment of each day.
All my love and prayers,
Brenda Neff
misty peterson
March 27, 2010
RIP aunt mary i love you and i am sry for any heart aches i have caused you... YOu will be missed very much and i know that your sister loves you very much and so does your brother... Uncle Don we love you too and you are in all of our prayers every night <3
Misty Peterson
March 27, 2010
This was my Great Aunt Mary my grandmother is Vriginia Perkins we will all miss her very much and we all lover her with all our hearts
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