Katharine Shaw

Westernport, MD

Katharine Marie (Meese) Shaw, 93 of Westernport, passed away on Thursday, May 30 2013, at the home of her daughter in Frostburg.

Born on October 24, 1919, in Lonaconing, Maryland, Mrs. Shaw was the daughter of the late Charles Meese and Genevieve (Cavan) Meese.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 59  years, John C. Shaw, Sr.; her infant daughter, Kay Shaw; her grandson, David H. Shaw, Jr.; her brother, Charles Nelson Meese; and her sister, Ethel Scollick.

Kate is survived by her children, John C. Shaw, Jr. and wife, Martha of Swanton; Julie Determan and husband, Bill of Frostburg; David Shaw and wife, Frances Ann of Westernport; and Elizabeth Cheswick of Sykesville.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stacey Weimer and husband, Rick; Jayci Duncan and husband, Rob; Shannon Green and husband Vince; Erin Clagett and husband, Tom; Michael Determan; Matt Kalbaugh and wife, Gemma; John C. Shaw III and wife, Lisa;  Katie Valente and husband, Evandro;  Jason Shaw and wife, Leah; and Kevin Kalbaugh.  Also surviving are her 20 great-grandchildren Taylor Cutter, Ricky Weimer, Torey Weimer, Jordyn Green, Jenna Green, Vincent David Green, Abbey Duncan, Eliza Jane Duncan, Isabelle Duncan, Hannah Clagett, Alexis Clagett, Brooke Clagett, Brynn Clagett, Landon Shaw, Ashlyn Shaw, Jayden Shaw, Gibson Davey Shaw, Kenley Kalbaugh, Reagan Kalbaugh, and baby Valente due in August.  She is also survived by her brother, John F.  Meese of Silver Spring, and her sister, Helen Monahan also of Silver Spring, her sister-in-law, Evelyn Marshall, Lonaconing and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kate was a graduate of Central High School, Class of 1937. She was distinguished as a debate champion in high school.  After graduation from high school, she worked at the Lonaconing Bakery where she met her future husband, Jack Shaw.  Together they moved to Main Street in Westernport where they operated the Shaw Insurance Agency for over 32 years.  Active in her community, Kate was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader in Westernport for many years.  She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, WV where she served as a Sunday School teacher and as a member of various committees at the church such as the United Methodist Women.

Kate was also an avid supporter of athletic programs at Bruce High School.  For three generations, “Grandma Kate” followed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their various elementary and high schools as they competed in a variety of sports.    Even at age 93 she continued to attend and cheer at the games of her great-grandchildren.  She was also a great fan of the Baltimore Ravens and the Orioles.  Kate also proudly attended concerts, recitals, birthday parties, and church programs for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her presence made each of these moments a “special occasion.” Kate was also no stranger to the “computer age” as she kept in touch with her children, grandchildren, great-children and her many friends through the use of Facebook, her IPad , and her laptop computer.

Kate will also be fondly remembered for her delicious red candy apples featured in the family’s white concession truck at the Cumberland Fair and local carnivals for over twenty years.  She and Jack and their children worked the family concession truck which also offered the best caramel apples, candy cotton, and popcorn.  She was also involved in the Shaw Parades business and was even seen driving a float down Constitution Avenue in D.C. at the age of 80.

Friends will be received at the Boal Funeral Home in Westernport on Sunday, June 2, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Monday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Moscow.   Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Kate’s name to the David H. Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o M&T Bank, Westernport Branch or the Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, WV.

Our wonderful mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Kate Shaw, taught us all the power of love of family.  No birthday went unnoticed, no holiday went uncelebrated, no one was unimportant in her heart.  Knowing and loving our “ Kate” is a gift all of us will treasure forever.

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