Mildred Bertha Shaw

Mildred Bertha Shaw, 1917 to 2022, was born in the fishing village of Back Bay, New Brunswick to Goldie and Reuben Cooke. She married her beloved husband, Rev. Robert E. Shaw in 1939 and together they served in many Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Canada and the United States. During their life together, they lived in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Alabama, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Florida and British Columbia. They had three children: Donna, Daphne and Bob, 7 grandsons, three great grandsons and 2 great granddaughters.

Mildred believed family was of utmost importance. As she was growing up, she became known as “Mome”, a little mother, to her siblings and friends. Throughout her life, she maintained a strong connection to her Back Bay home and the family spent many happy vacations there and in Robert’s childhood home, the farm, in PEI.

Mildred showed her love of learning when she taught Sunday School and helped her children with their homework. She treasured knowledge so much that she kept her torn, taped and scribbled on grade 3 Nelson’s School Geography, Maritime Edition. Her exquisite handwriting that many people praised is in it.

After retirement, she took courses in calligraphy and journaling. She also perfected her skills in quilting and crocheting. Education was her lifelong ambition and she made sure her children understood the value of the education they had the privilege of receiving.

In addition to annual trips to the Maritimes, Mildred and Robert also had the opportunity following retirement to travel to the British Isles and to several world conventions of the Christian Church. They travelled to New Zealand, Australia, and California specifically to attend such conventions. During their travels they met people who became their good friends.

Even after settling in Vancouver, they made close friends not just in the church community but by chatting to people at performances of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, Mildred not only received correspondence from friends and family in the United States and Canada, but as far away as England. Her friend there kept her informed about the Queen, who Mildred greatly admired.

After Robert died in 2003, Mildred lived independently in Vancouver until moving to South Granville Park Lodge in 2014 where she enjoyed the companionship, food, recreation, entertainment and care provided. A memorial service will be held later in Montague, PEI, where she will be buried with her husband.

Mildred’s faith sustained her to the end and with her compassion, wisdom and grace, she blessed the lives of her family and friends. We will miss her presence in our lives but will cherish our memories of her. She was an exemplary human being.