Susan Shawn Shaw Nickel, a native of Houma and a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023. She was 62. She leaves a legacy of love as a devoted wife, mother, soon-to-be grandmother, and a cherished friend to all who knew her. She was a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma. She attended Louisiana State University, where she pursued her passion for art and received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Art & Design. She was a devoted Kappa Kappa Gamma sister. She was a longtime art consultant for Taylor Clark Gallery, and her creative spirit extended to her love of art, fashion, and design. Rooted in her faith, Susan was a devout Christian and believed that Jesus died for our sins. Her appreciation for the beauty of life extended to everything around her – from people to art, nature, butterflies, flowers, purses, shoes, and even the perfect belt. She knew it when she saw it! Kindness to strangers, animals, and her many friends was at the core of her compassionate nature. Everyone who met “Momma Sus” admired her natural ability for companionship and wanted to be her best friend. She was everyone’s go-to girl for advice on art, fashion, and the latest trends … always over a glass of prosecco. She embraced any clothing crisis as a fun-and-easy challenge. Her impeccable taste and unique style made her stand out in a crowd. And her warm and welcoming personality made her the life of any gathering, especially among her large circle of treasured family and friends. She will be missed, but never, ever forgotten. Her family was the most important part of her life. She woke every day wanting blessings and good fortune for her girls—Samantha, Maggie, and Isabella—and for her husband, Jim. They were her world and the center of her universe. Whatever they needed, Susan delivered: a tutor, a tutu, a hair appointment, advice on jobs or dating, what to wear, or what not to wear. Mama Sue’s wisdom (everyone spelled her nickname differently) was flawless. Susan is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters Samantha Jarman, Maggie and husband Connor Stewart, and Isabella Nickel; her soon-to-be grandchild, Ella James; her sweet puppies, Harry and Roux; her brothers, Mark Shaw and wife Danielle, Scott Shaw, and wife Jeanne. Her mother, Claire Shaw, and her father, Granville “Cookie” Shaw, preceded her in death.
Family and friends will gather to remember and celebrate Susan’s life during visitation at St. Joseph Cathedral, 412 North Street, Baton Rouge, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 10 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge (www.caabr.org), a cause close to Susan’s compassionate heart.
