Marie A. Shaw

Marie Neligan Shaw, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family on September 13, 2024. She was a treasured wife, a cherished mother, an incredible, loving grandmother, and a friend who would always have your back. Born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland on May 22, 1939, Marie's life journey took her from the green fields of her homeland to the shores of the United States, where she created a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.

Marie emigrated to the U.S. on Valentine’s Day 1958, carrying with her the warmth and spirit of her Irish heritage. It was in Queens, New York that she met her tall, handsome knight who was to become her husband, Joseph Shaw. Their love story flourished into nearly 60 years of marriage, which would have been celebrated this Thanksgiving Day, November 28th. Together, they started their life in Brooklyn, New York. Later, as those green fields kept calling, Joe and Marie returned to Ireland with their sons. Opportunities, however, proved greater across the ocean and so, they returned to the shores of the United States and settled in Hazlet, New Jersey. There, they forged a multitude of lifetime friends. When their family was finally launched, Marie and Joe retired to Manchester, New Jersey, where they continued to build a community of friends and cherished memories.

True to her Irish roots, Marie frequently visited her family home in Listowel, nurturing deep connections with loved ones, both here and across the pond. She was a woman of unwavering faith, that she shared generously as she supported and loved her family and friends.

Prior to retiring, Marie worked with Dr. Mark Engle at Ophthalmic Physicians of Monmouth. As an avid reader, retirement offered plenty of time to relish a page-turner of a novel. Beyond a good book, she found amused-frustration from the squirrels that invaded the bird feeders and the gardens that her husband had lovingly planted. She always enjoyed laughter and good times with family and friends.

Marie is survived by her devoted husband, Joseph Shaw; her sons, Tim and his wife Alicia, and Brendan and his fiancée Megan; her nieces, Tracy Shaw, Pamela Maggio, and Tara Flotta; and her beloved grandchildren, Taylor Bennett, Tyler Bennett, and Joanna Shaw, who was the light of her life.

Her legacy of love, laughter, and faith along with her signature closing ILY (signaling “I Love You”) will be deeply missed and forever, fondly remembered.

There will be a funeral mass for Marie at 10am on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, in the Chapel at St. John's Church, 619 Chestnut St., Lakehurst, NJ 08733. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Rd., in Toms River.

A celebration of Marie’s life will be hosted at a later date, with details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an organization close to your heart or the American Cancer Society(donate.cancer.org).