Carol Gwen Shaw, 75, of Annapolis MD passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 with her loving daughters by her side. She bravely fought cancer for several years with dignity, cheer and grace. Carol is survived by four daughters Lori, Teri, Heidi, Judi; four grandchildren; her little dog Indy and many close and caring friends.

Carol was born to Gladys B. and Ray R. Shaw in April 1944 in the charming, small town of Canova, South Dakota. Carol’s parents ran the local general store which was a central part of the community. Carol had a sweet tooth as a child, so having the store meant that she got to eat lots of candy, to her great delight! She, her parents, and two older brothers, Dennis and Gail, were a baseball mad family. Her brothers and father played together on teams, Gladys and Carol cheering from the crowd. She had long time deep friendships with many of the people she grew up with and in recent years did annual laughter filled reunion trips around the country with her school girl friends.

Carol treated friends and family to many fun tales about growing up in Canova’s tight knit community. One oft repeated story was about the family’s pet raccoon (yes, pet raccoon!) that fell into an outhouse. An unsuspecting neighbor came to use the facilities only to run terrified from the shack after a hand grabbed his behind from below! 

After graduating from Canova High School, she attended the University of South Dakota where she was active in the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. In 1967 she received her master’s degree in business education. Carol found her first teaching position at Henley High School in Klamath Falls Oregon. Her subsequent teaching positions were at Three Forks and Willow Creek High Schools, leading classwork for bookkeeping, shorthand and typing. She also co-owned a clothing store in Three Forks doing screen printing as well as making some of the clothing they stocked.

Her sewing skills were legendary. She made clothing for her family including prom, homecoming, and wedding dresses and Halloween costumes. Lori, her oldest daughter, recalls with affection and hilarity more than one time when a dress wasn’t quite finished in time and had to be pinned, meaning she had to be very careful how she moved so as to not get stabbed by the pins. Carol nearly birthed her youngest daughter in the car on the way to the hospital, as she couldn’t leave the house until she had finished a costume for one of the elder daughters. She also became a fabulous quilt maker providing small and full-sized quilts to family and friends. They all cherish them and will think fondly of Carol every time they look at the beautifully crafted works of art. Not only did she sew and craft thoughtful gifts, she was also skilled at making delicious deviled eggs and berry clafoutis.

Using her accounting and office management skills she went on to work at some interesting businesses. In the Bozeman Montana area, that included a radio station, waste management, heavy equipment company, a compounding pharmacy and the City of Bozeman. In 2002 she moved from Montana to South Dakota to be near her mother. She enjoyed being back in her home state, reconnecting with friends and family and attending activities at Gladys’ nursing home. She continued to work as a bookkeeper for Moody County Conservation District during this time. After Gladys passed away, Carol decided to move to Phoenix Arizona to be near her daughter Judi in 2005. There she worked for the Phoenix Symphony discovering a whole new world of music and performance.Though she enjoyed Phoenix, she missed cooler weather and green landscapes. 

By 2013 Judi had moved to Annapolis Maryland and Carol moved east to join her and Lori who lives nearby in Alexandria, Virginia so she could explore the area with them. With so many museums and historic places to discover in the DC metro area, Carol loved to venture into them. Most recently she enjoyed the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. She also found some other fascinating places to work including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Annapolis Harbor Master.

Carol also enjoyed volunteering.  She spent time as an usher at the Maryland Hall performance center (Annapolis) and Ford’s Theatre (DC). At George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, she volunteered with Lori and Jim (Carol’s son-in-law) on an archaeology dig and in colonial attire for holiday events at the estate. She even volunteered with her family marching in the National Cherry Blossom Festival annual parade in DC. You know that person who is “the nicest person you ever knew”? That was Carol, who on a daily basis, would go out of her way to find gifts or send cards or do something nice for those around her, whether she knew them or not. She was a caring and loving soul that always had time for those in need.

Carol always had a way of making everyone feel celebrated on special days such as birthdays & anniversaries. From surprising her children with waffles and whip cream breakfast in bed, to a poem of candy for an anniversary, or a large banner announcing a birthday.

Carol lived a full life, travelling extensively with friends and family. International destinations including Brazil, Australia, Ireland, Mexico and several Caribbean islands.

Her generous nature extends to her passing in that she donated her body to scientific study. Private ceremonies in Montana and South Dakota will be held when her ashes are returned to her family.

For those inclined to donate to a charity in Carol’s honor, her family suggests one of the following: 

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation 
  
• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
  
• Wellness House of Annapolis