Saralee Shaw Moorad

Obituary for Saralee Shaw Moorad, March 25, 1927-August 2, 2025

Saralee began her 98 years in 1927 in Modesto, experiencing loss along with her parents Frank and Florence Shaw, when her sister Shirley died of meningitis at age 12, and her then infant brother Clifford passed at six weeks of age. These losses would fuel facing challenges with forward solution-oriented positivity throughout her life.

Saralee attended and graduated Modesto High School, Modesto Junior College, and San Jose State University. She was always an active participant in her community, including roles as a collegiate business leader and community builder in organizations like Jobs Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and Venture Club. As an adult, Saralee was a consistent volunteer for the Salvation Army bell-ringing events, the McHenry Mansion, an avid supporter of the Modesto Symphony and the Gallo Theater, and many other local charities. Later, as a member of the Modesto Junior Chamber, Saralee would meet a young man named Bill Moorad at the JC carnival ride. Their love grew and they married November 7, 1953 at the First Christian Church in Modesto.

The family grew when son Jeff Moorad was born July 14, 1955, and sister Claudia was adopted March 27, 1960. Saralee affirmed to Claudia 20 years later that she always wanted a family and saw this as one of her primary purposes in life. Our family and community have benefited from her love and commitment to both.

Saralee became an avid golfer, member of Del Rio Country Club, and a leader in the women's golf clubs, including serving as Captain of the 18-hole group in 1977. Saralee and Bill were selected to lead a team of local and national golfers in a senior tournament at Del Rio. They were also members of Spyglass Hill Golf Club in Monterey and maintained a second home in Sunset Beach, California.

We are proud of our mother as our parent and the community building, role model example that she gave us. The richness that she infused is a wealth of spirit we will carry wherever we go.

Friends and family are invited to join in a Celebration of Life this Thursday, August 7th at 11:00AM at the Centenary Methodist Church at McHenry and Topaz in Modesto. The memorial service will be followed by a lunch reception.