She was born on December 23, 1931 in Pontiac, Michigan to James Connell and Flossie Langford. As a young child, Betty loved cats and had a talent for art. Her father made a special place in their attic for her art table and supplies. There she could look out the window over the yard and draw and paint. After graduating from Pontiac High School, Betty attended Michigan State Normal School, which later became Eastern Michigan University, and got her bachelor’s degree in Education. Betty met Edward A. Shaw at the Central Methodist Church in Pontiac, Michigan in 1950 and married there on August 23, 1953 after Betty graduated from Michigan State Normal College and Ed had returned from Korea and discharged from the Army. Ed and Betty lived in Norman, then the San Francisco Bay area where their two children, Mark and Ellen, were born. From 1963 to 1966, the Shaws lived in Chicago. In 1966 they returned to Norman and have lived here ever since. Betty taught in Norman Public Schools. She loved teaching the 3rd grade. Betty earned her Masters Degree from OU in 1970.
After her retirement from Norman Public Schools, Betty became an Adjunct Professor of Art at Rose State College. She taught water color painting classes and received the 2003 Excellence in Teaching Award. Betty loved to paint and teach painting. Many of her students at Rose State College would re-enroll and take her class year after year as she would always teach a new technique or assist a student in painting something of their choosing. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved going to GiGi’s house and getting to paint. Betty was a dedicated Bridge player and always commented that playing bridge kept her mind sharp as she aged.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Edward A. Shaw, her parents James and Flossie Langford, her sister, Joyce Witbeck and her brother, Les Langford.
Survived by her son, Mark Shaw (Candace) and her granddaughters - Lindsay Hill (Andy) and Marilyn Kobe (Andrew), four great grandchildren - Maddy Hill, Taylor Hill, Emily Kobe and David Kobe; her daughter Ellen Shaw along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageSouth.com for the Shaw family.
