Frances Marie Shaw

Frances was born October 30, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up on a Farm in Eagle Lake. She and her brother were quite involved in the day to day chores of the dairy business and also the June strawberries, which they raised and sold on the milk route. In 1939, the milk business was sold and they moved to Osseo, MN. She said she had a delightful childhood with loving parents and grandparents. Much of her love for music and singing came from their influence, as nightly they would sit around the piano and sing their favorite songs.

Grade school and high school offered her opportunities to be in the school plays in between chores and babysitting. After high school she entered Northwest Secretarial School in downtown Minneapolis and began working at a credit checking company. This was war time (1940-41) so she soon was hired by a company that made military helmets for government contracts.

Ted, her first husband, moved from Osseo to San Diego, California, where he worked for Consolidated Aircraft (Convair) where they built the B24 Bombers and PB2Y-4 planes. Frances joined him in 1943 where they both worked swing shift at Convair. In September they were married and moved into their first home in La Mesa, California.

Frances was very active in her church, Girl Scouts, helping Ted's brother in his remodeling business and raising 3 daughters. In 1959, the family was transferred to Auburn, Washington, for Ted's job. Soon she was employed by the school district and then as secretary to the President of the new Green River Community College.

In the late 1960's, Ted's job again moved them back to California, where they settled in Chula Vista. Again, Frances was active in her church, which was her foundation. She was also employed by Waddie Deddah, State Senator as his secretary until retirement in 1991.

Her husband passed in 1974 and in 1976 she married Carl Shaw. They spent many years touring the United States, Alaska, Canada and Europe. After Carl's death, she came up for Mother's Day visits and was finally convinced she should move to the Pacific Northwest.

She fell in love with the Willamette View Retirement community and began her wonderful life enjoying her many activities and making new friendships. Once again, her church was her foundation and she soon joined Zion Lutheran Church in Oregon City. Decorating her 4th floor for every occasion/holiday, sewing, baking, gardening, playing cards, vespers, as well as serving on the council, filled her life. She also was a member of PEO, sang with choirs at Zion, Willamette View and Lutheran Choral. With family, she was able to attend many musical events, grand meal BBQ's, holiday/birthday celebrations, trips to the beach, soccer, basketball, baseball games, and Boy Scout presentations of her grandson's and their families.

We wish to thank all those friends and family whose life she touched and thank you for the love, care and support throughout the journey. Words cannot express the gratefulness to the entire Willamette View community, the wonderful team in the Health Center, and Bristol Hospice throughout her faith- filled life.

The Celebration of Life for Frances will be at Willamette View Blue Heron Auditorium July 28 at 2 p.m.