Janet Rae Shaw

Janet Rae Bryan Shaw was born on December 29, 1922 in Estherville, Iowa and passed away in her Fresno home with friends and family surrounding her on November 15, 2013. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Richard Louis Bryan, her loving husband, Clarence Milton Shaw, and two grandchildren, Stacy Renee Shaw and Bryan Thomas Shaw.

Janet is survived by her children; Jim Shaw and his wife, Cathy, of Bakersfield, Jon Shaw and his wife, Debbie, of Coarsegold, and Joanne Kandler and her husband, Ed, of Seattle. She loved and supported her grandchildren; Dayton, Bodie, Cambria, Noah, Samantha and Josh. Janet adored her great grandchildren; Clementine, Bowden, August, Maya, Ashlyn, Dillan, Kailyn, and Cody.

When she was a young woman Janet graduated from Kahler School of Nursing at Rochester, Minnesota. During nursing school she made friends with a small group of women whom she remained close with for the next 70 years. Through reunions, letters, and e-mail they supported each other up until her final weeks.

When WWII began Janet enlisted in the Army as a 2nd Lt. stationed at Ft. Collins, Colorado. Through letters, she kept in touch with her fiancé, Clarence Shaw, who was in active duty in France and Germany. Janet and Clarence were married while Clarence was on leave at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota on March 17th, 1944.

Riley’s Nursing Home and Valley Convalescent in Fresno is where Janet spent 36 years of her life as a head nurse and administrator. Janet knitted countless sweaters and crocheted shawls and afghans by the dozens. She was active in Rotary International with her husband and took many trips around the world with their friends. An avid writer, she corresponded with friends and family faithfully through countless letters, switching to e-mail the last 8 years of her life. Valley Teen Ranch was always in her heart and she attended several open houses and supported them for decades. Janet looked forward to her Women’s Bible Study at Evangelical Free Church, with a wonderful group of women. She was a prolific reader and will be dearly missed by Amazon.com.

We said our good-bys on Sunday the 15th with laughter, songs and prayer. Gone to her Maker is Janet Shaw, a kind and gentle soul.

Please make donations in Janet's name to Optimal Hospice Care at 6780 N. West Avenue, Ste 101, Fresno, CA 93711.