Mary Elizabeth "Boots" Hayes Shaw

Mary Elizabeth Hayes Shaw, known affectionately as “Boots”, is now safe at home with her Lord God. On Monday, February 5, 2018 at the age of 100 she reunited with her husband of forty-two years, Colonel Lauren L. “Lonnie” Shaw, Jr. USAF, who went to heaven February 8, 1984.

Born in Decatur, Illinois, the second child of Leo Francis Hayes and Laura Irene Wiefel Hayes, Boots graduated from St. Teresa High School, and attended Millikin University until her marriage July 12, 1941. She then began her fabulous adventures as an Air Force wife and mother, moving over thirty-five times, internationally three times over husband Lonnie’s thirty four years of active military service with five children in tow. While stationed at Maxwell AFB in 1954, she co-founded the world wide Air Force Nursery School system “Fledgling Hanger”. Following military retirement they lived and worked in Long Beach and St. Louis, moving to San Antonio, Texas in 1977.

Boots had two passions in her life, her family and her faith. Her children remember her gardens and the beautiful formal dresses and childrens clothing she sewed, so well-crafted they could be worn inside out. She was a Girl Scout Leader, made crafts, played piano, loved musicals, and danced all the time. An elegant hostess, she cooked, baked and entertained flawlessly throughout the military and retirement years. As an avid season ticket Spurs fan, she attended every game. Later while living at the Towers at Parklane and Parklane West, she was thrilled to meet the Coyote and The Admiral.

A long time parishioner at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, she served as Women’s Club President and was very active in the Choir, Alter Guild, Gibbons Literary Club, and ACTS Retreat Teams. A devout Catholic, Boots was honored to be invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1995, and participated in their local functions as well as traveling to the annual events well into her nineties, devoted to supporting all Christians in the Holy Land through prayer, pilgrimage, and donations through the Papal Order.

Boots was known to her grand and great-grand children as “Nonny”. She loved unconditionally, gave hugs freely, and offered “One Day at a Time” and “Let Go and Let God” as advice. She was a true and loyal friend to all. She enjoyed life to the fullest.

Survivors include a son, Lauren L. “Skip” Shaw, III (Los Osos, CA); and daughters, Karen Shaw (Centennial CO); Patti Shaw (Florissant MO); Deb Courtney, and Janet Pollock with husband David (San Antonio TX); grandchildren Carol, Mike, Eric, David, Collette, Katrina, Brian, Lauren and Sally; great-grandchildren Taylor, Claire, Xander, Atticus, Garrett and Gannon; and scores of nieces and nephews.

Boots was preceded in death by her siblings, Dr. Laurence Hayes, William Hayes, Jane Hayes and Sally Carpenter, and their parents.Services celebrating Mary “Boots” Shaw’s life will be

held Saturday, February 24 at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church; 111 Barilla Place, Alamo Heights TX 78209. Visitation at 10am; Rosary at 10:30; Mass at 11:00; followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. (A private family interment will follow Monday, Feb. 26.)

In lieu of flowers, please offer donations to The Pilgrim Center of Hope at:

http://www.pilgrimcenterofhope.org/