Karen P. Shaw

Karen was born on August 5, 1942, in Frankfort, Indiana to her parents Robert and Edna Painter. A few years later the family moved to Tipton, Indiana where her father owned and operated a monument business. Karen graduated from Tipton High School in 1960. She was an outstanding student and was involved with numerous school activities including cheerleading. Karen then went to Indiana University (IU) where she received a BA in Medical Record Science in 1964. During her time at IU she joined the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. This affiliation thankfully resulted in lifelong friendships with her “Sisters”. All the sisters were special, but Karen enjoyed a truly wonderful friendship with Karen Crane, her freshman year roommate and subsequent sorority sister.

During orientation week at IU she met Jack Shaw on a blind date. After dating off and on they became serious their sophomore year. They were married on June 21,1964 and the marriage happily lasted 61 years. They were blessed with three children, Julie, Betsy (Jay), Jeff (Marlie) and 2 granddaughters, Delilah and GiGi.

Karen was a devoted Mother who was deeply involved in her children’s lives and activities. She was an active participant in their schools and was named “Parent of the Year” in Lawrence Township in 1981. In 1984, She served on the inaugural Board of the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Karen was also a proud member of The Children’s Museum Guild of Indianapolis and co- chaired its haunted house, helping to raise substantial funds for the Museum.

Jack was a partner at Ernst & Young and became Managing Partner of the Indianapolis Office in 1986. Karen was a great supporter of Jack’s career. She was outstanding at entertaining clients and friends at dinner parties, going to dinner with new arrivals and attending civic affairs and dinners too many to mention. Jack and Karen were a true team, and he always said she was his best partner.

As the children grew older, and her parental role lightened up somewhat, Karen took up the game of golf. She loved playing the game with Jack and friends. At a point in their life prior to Jack’s retirement, many of their friends started skiing. Karen said if they had time for a vacation that she didn’t want to be cold. Golf was their favorite vacation activity and they enjoyed playing at their Grenelefe condo or other nice resorts. In their early marriage life Jack and Karen enjoyed playing bridge. Family interrupted for a while but in the early nineties Karen, along with some friends, started going to the Indianapolis Bridge Center to play duplicate bridge. Karen was an excellent card player and obtained bronze life master status.

After Jack’s retirement in 2002 Jack and Karen became snowbirds and spent the next 22 winters in Naples Florida where they made many friends, enjoyed playing golf at Collier’s Reserve, the fine weather and the great restaurants. They traveled extensively and enjoyed cruising often with their great friends Roger and Lynne Snowdon.

Karen was predeceased by her parents and her brother In -law-Larry. She is survived by her husband Jack, children Julie, Betsy (Jay), Jeff (Marlie) and grandchildren Delilah and GiGi.

Special thanks to Dr. Joan Malick, the wonderful staff at Hickory Memory Care in Hoosier Village and the AseraCare Hospice caregivers.

Services will be held at Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel (740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240). Calling will begin at 11:00am on Monday, March 16th and conclude at time of services at 1:00pm. A reception follows at Crooked Stick Golf Club (1964 Burning Tree Lane, Carmel, IN 46032) from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Children’s Museum Guild of Indianapolis, P.O Box 3000, Indianapolis, 46206 or The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. 5635 Castle Creek Parkway, Indianapolis, 46250.

Online condolences available at www.leppertmortuary.com