Alice Katheryn "Kathy" Shaw

1927 - 2016

Alice Katheryn "Kathy" Shaw, age 88, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, 2016, at Brookdale Kerrville (Sterling House). She was born on April 15, 1927, near Olivia, Minnesota, to Ralph W. and Oma Taylor. She had one sister and five brothers. Following graduation from Olivia High School in 1945, Kathy earned her nursing diploma from Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She became a Registered Nurse in 1949 and worked at hospitals in Minnesota, Colorado and Wisconsin. In 1951, she accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Nursing Corps. Although her desire for a warmer climate was satisfied by her initial posting to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, it was followed by a transfer to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The arctic temperatures were not to her liking, but Alaska did have an Army engineer from Oklahoma, Gilbert "Gil" Shaw, who she liked. They were married at the 5005th Hospital Group chapel at Elmendorf on June 5, 1953, by which time she had been promoted to First Lieutenant. After both were honorably discharged from active duty in their respective services, Kathy and Gil moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1954. It was in New Orleans that their two children, Ralph and Kay Ann, were born. As a result of her husband's changing job assignments, Kathy lived in a variety of locations through the years. These included Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Venice, Louisiana; Bakersfield, California; Horsell, England; and Aberdeen, Scotland. Kathy and Gil moved to Kerrville in 1994 following his retirement. As they moved around the world, Kathy kept her nursing license current and remained active in the profession. While living in Metairie, Louisiana, she worked at Ochsner Foundation Hospital and Lakeside Hospital for Women. In Bakersfield, she worked at Kern General Hospital and Kern Medical Center. She was also licensed as a Registered Nurse in England and Wales. During the time her children were young, Kathy was active with the PTA, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was also active in the Coffee and Carnations Garden club. As a cancer survivor, she volunteered with Discovery Shop in Bakersfield and Reach to Recovery in Kerrville. She attended Kerrville First United Methodist Church. Throughout her life, the presence of babies, small children or pets would draw Kathy's attention and bring a smile to her face. Kathy is survived by her son, Ralph Shaw; daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Jack Cothren; grandsons, Jack Gilbert Cothren and Thomas Kevin Cothren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Carole Taylor, Dennis and Vonnie Taylor, Donald and Beverly Taylor, and Jerry and Phyllis Taylor; brother-in-law, Howard Peterson; sister-in-law, Eleanor Taylor; and many nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brother, Bob Taylor; sister, Evie Peterson; and daughter-in-law, Sandi Johnson Shaw. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Visitation will precede the service from 1-2 PM. Her family would be most appreciative if those wishing to honor Kathy with flowers instead make a donation in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society or other charitable organization of their choosing. Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.