Renata Vitzthum Shaw

07/21/1926 - 08/10/2025

Renata Vitzthum Shaw was born Renata Elisabeth Helene Countess Vitzthum von Eckstädt on July 21, 1926, in Mänttä, Finland. She was the oldest child of Burghard Otto Alfred Count Vitzthum von Eckstädt and Helle Maria Siren. She was raised in a loving family with her twin sisters, Christa and Karin, two years younger, and her brother, Dieter, 13 years younger.
The three sisters began their education with home tutors before later living independently in an apartment in Helsinki while attending the German School. During war with the Soviet Union, planes dropped bombs which shattered their apartment building's windows, leading the three sisters (ages 13 and 11) to be sent to Denmark for safety. Subsequently, Germany invaded Denmark, and they fled again back to Finland.
Renata was a self-motivated, determined, disciplined, organized, and courageous person. She was goal-oriented, and she never complained. Her rigorous character and intellectual interests started in childhood and carried throughout her life. Renata was an excellent student with a special aptitude in foreign languages. She became fluent in Finnish, Swedish, German, English, French and Italian. A life-long learner, she found studying to be fun. She encouraged her children and her grandchildren to value education and excel academically.
Renata's love of art began when as a young child, she saw a reproduction of a painting printed on a chocolate box. This small moment foreshadowed a career and lifetime dedicated to the study of art history. When a little older, she helping to save historic artwork from a museum during the war. Renata was particularly interested in Medieval art, architecture, and illuminated manuscripts. Her artistic interests were also expressed in her love of fashion. She was always elegantly dressed and well accessorized.
Renata believed in the importance of health and fitness. Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes and as child, Renata enjoyed distance swimming in those lakes and served as a lifeguard. She continued to enjoy swimming well into her 90s. She also loved long walks throughout her neighborhood.
After earning her White Cap (the Finnish tradition of high school graduation), Renata studied English at the University of Helsinki and then at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio. She then earned a Masters of Art in Art History from the University of Chicago. Subsequently, she earned a Magister Philosophiae from the University of Helsinki, a Diploma in Museology from the École de Louvre in Paris, and a Diploma in French from the Alliance Française in Paris.
While studying at the University of Chicago, on the first day of a new class, Renata met a young US Navy veteran who was in the same art history program. She married Russell Ramon Baskin Shaw on August 14, 1954 in Mänttä, Finland. Their love, respect, and affection for each other was remarkable. They shared values and interests, and they never tired of being together. They were a rare match and truly adored each other. They lived as devoted partners until Russell's death on November 6, 2002.
Soon after marrying, Russell's career in national intelligence took them on assignment to Cyprus for a couple of years. Naturally, Renata took that opportunity to learn some modern Greek. Afterwards, they settled in Washington, DC, and Renata became a United States citizen in 1957. Renata taught French at the Holton-Arms School and worked at the National Gallery of Art.
Renata and Russell purchased their first home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In a few years they moved to a larger home with a pool to accommodate Renata's love of swimming. They shared a love of interior design and enjoyed decorating their home in a Scandinavian Mid-Century style. They became parents to Rembert Baskin Vitzthum Shaw on May 5, 1961, and to Lori Renata Harrach Shaw on October 30, 1962.
Meanwhile, in 1962 Renata earned a Masters of Science in Library Science from Catholic University and began her career at the Library of Congress. She served for 28 years in the Prints and Photographs Division. She started as a Reference Librarian and then became a Supervisory Reference Librarian and a Bibliographic Specialist. Finally, she ended her career as the GS-15 Assistant Chief of the Prints and Photographs Division. Renata loved working at the Library of Congress and became personal friends with many of her colleagues. She combined her language skills and knowledge of art history to recommend acquisitions for the library's collections. She was an active member and leader of the Special Libraries Association and of the Washington Art Library Resources Committee. In 1975, she received the Meritorious Service Award from the Library of Congress.
After retiring, Renata and Russell moved to a historic 18th century home in Charleston, South Carolina. They enjoyed restoring the home, decorating it with antiques and once again adding a pool for Renata to swim. They delighted in hosting visitors and entertaining family and friends. The Shaws became active in many groups including St. Michael's Episcopal Church, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and the Carolina Yacht Club. They both took classes at the College of Charleston, with Renata focusing on Fine Arts, French and Italian. Renata and Russell enjoyed many walks together along the Battery in Charleston and on the Isle of Palms beach. They also took many trips, exploring the United States, Canada, and Europe.
After her husband's passing, Renata returned to Chevy Chase, Maryland and continued to lead an active lifestyle. She worshipped at All Saints Episcopal Church, lunched with her social club Les Girls, visited art galleries, swam laps, participated in book clubs, and spoke Finnish at Finn Spark meetings. She took classes in painting, Tai Chi and Italian. She continued to cook large meals and host holidays and birthday celebrations for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Her last five years were spent at Grand Oaks Assisted Living in Washington, DC. As her health declined, she received excellent care from her devoted caregivers, Bernadette Cole, Beatrice Depigney and Zainab Bangura. On July 21, 2025, Renata celebrated her 99th birthday with her family. Then on August 10, 2025, she peacefully took her last breath.
Renata Vitzthum Shaw is survived by her children Rembert Baskin Vitzthum Shaw of Beltsville, MD and Lori Shaw Dove (Jan) of Olney, MD; her grandchildren Lisa Cogar Dove Rothman (Charles) of Brookeville, MD, Noah Vitzthum Dove of Poolesville, MD and Sara Baskin Dove of Olney, MD; her great-grandchildren Caroline Grace Rothman, Gabriel Mark Rothman and Charles Ezra Rothman, and her brother Dieter Vitzthum von Eckstädt of Helsinki, Finland.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Lunch is planned for October 4, 2025 to be followed by a private burial in South Carolina; please email lorisdove@gmail.com for details. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Finn Spark c/o Adele Hagen, 2902 State Hill Road, E16, Wyomissing, PA 19610-1472.