Bernadine Dell Shaw

Bernadine is survived by her daughter, Kimberly A. Shaw Elliott of Belleair Beach, FL; grandchildren, Anne Elliott and her husband David Franklin of Webster Groves, MO, Emily Shaw and her husband Josh Meyer of O’Fallon, IL, and John Shaw (fiancée, Angelina Caride) of Dallas, TX; her ever-present companion, her dog, Bleu; and her loving cousins, Sandra Rohr, Lynn Ziener, and Debra Trickey.

Her dear son, Greg R. Shaw, preceded her in death in June of 2025. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mazella Bott, and her former husband, Elmer Shaw.

Bernadine was a giving presence in so many lives. She started her career as a nurse, having graduated from Washington University School of Nursing. She went back to school to become a teacher when Kim entered first grade. She was part of the first class to graduate from the new campus of SIU- Edwardsville. Her first job as a teacher was an unusual arrangement. Mascoutah High School wanted a school nurse but could not afford to hire one full-time. Mom was uniquely qualified to solve that dilemma. She started each day as the school nurse and would switch to teaching history and geography in the afternoon. So began a 26-year teaching career, something she always wanted. Her teacher’s pension comfortably supported her for over 30 years.

Bernadine instilled in her family a lifetime love of learning and with that, a love of traveling, especially to historically significant sites. She traveled throughout the United States, including a cruise to Alaska, and made her last trip to Florida at age 93. She made frequent journeys with PSOP of Belleville and the Methodist Church. She was deeply committed to family and was a guiding presence in the lives of each of her grandchildren. Her influence lives on.

A funeral for Bernadine will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.

A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral, from 10:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Final interment will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory Mausoleum.

Memorial donations may be made to Union United Methodist Church, where she was a faithful longtime member or to Mary Culver Home for Visually Impaired Women. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the exceptional care and comfort provided by the dedicated staff of that unique facility.