Jean Rose Shaw , July 28, 1923 — November 03, 2018

Tallmadge–Jean Rose Shaw, 95, passed away on November 3, 2018. She was born to the late Glenn and Margaret Saddler on July 28, 1923, and was raised in Bemidji, Minnesota. She moved to Akron, Ohio after marrying James W. Shaw in 1944.

She is predeceased by her husband in 2006 and by three brothers, one sister, and two of her sons, Richard, and infant Brian James. Before coming to Ohio, Jean attended Bemidji State College and the University of Minnesota to study journalism and serve as the first female drummer in the UMN marching band. After she married and started her family, she successfully finished her B.S. degree at Kent State University and eventually achieved an 18-year career as a teacher in Tallmadge, Ohio.

Jean was an active member of the First Congregational Church, singing in the choir, and serving in Women’s Fellowship and on the Board of Trustees. After she and her husband retired, they spent many years in travel, to Europe, South America, and almost every state in the US. Above all else, Jean loved children and family.

Shortly after moving to Akron, she volunteered to teach kindergarten; in addition to having six living children of her own, she fostered babies and young children through Child Services in the Akron area and took in foreign exchange students; while in Brazil with her husband, she volunteered to work with children in the favelas in Rio. In her heart, she was always a teacher and mother to the young. She leaves behind five adult children and their spouses–Terry (Eva) Shaw, Margaret Shaw, Laurel (Ray) Montgomery, Dawn (Howard) Murray, and Becky (Ken) Ostendorf–13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren—all of whose lives have been graced by her spirit of generosity and love.

The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for Jean during her last days: the nurses and aids at Stow-Glen Retirement Village, the Great Lakes Caring hospice service, and especially her dear friends Joyce King and Carol Penn. For those who have known and loved Jean, viewing hours will be held, Saturday, November 10th from 11:30-1:00 at the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 officiated by the Rev. David Brumbaugh.

A brief graveside service will follow at the Tallmadge Cemetery. Afterward, everyone is invited to a luncheon at the church. In lieu of other remembrances, donations may be given to the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge Scholarship Fund, 85 Heritage Dr., Tallmadge, OH 44278.

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