Sylvia R. Shaw
Sylvia R. Shaw, 103, of Washington, formerly of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in the Donnell House, Washington, where her devoted family had kept vigil by her side. She was born June 19, 1919, in Canonsburg, a daughter of the late Matthew and Marie Horvath Shamich.
Mrs. Shaw lived most of her life in Canonsburg, where she graduated from Canonsburg High School Class of 1936 and is believed to be the last surviving member of the class.
She was a devoted lifelong member of St Patrick Church of St. Patrick Parish, where she had been active with the Christian Mothers and Guild and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Canonsburg 1211.
Sylvia was an avid card player who was an American Contract Bridge League Life member.
She had been employed for many years at Jeffrey’s Drug Store prior to her retirement.
Sylvia lived through the Spanish flu epidemic, the loss of her father and baby sister in the 1920s, the Great Depression, the loss of her mother in the 1930s, World War II, the Viet Nam era, the loss of her husband and the COVID Pandemic.
On June 6, 1942, she married James Edwin Shaw, who passed away June 14, 1999 after 57 years of marriage.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Mary (Zerah) Westbrook of Wilmington, N.C., Catherine (Paul) Caplan of White Oak, James E. Shaw Jr. (Celeste) of Washington, Kevin Shaw (Debi) of Tafton, Pamela (David) Kuhns of Beaver, and Denise (John) Seiffer of Washington; five grandchildren; two stepgrandsons; along with four great-grandchildren; plus cousins, extended family and friends.
The last of her immediate family, Mrs. Shaw was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and siblings, George Shamich, who passed away in 1991, and her sister, Frances Shamich, who died in infancy.
Friends and family are welcome 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 19, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg (724-745-8120), where departing prayers will be recited at 9:40 a.m. Friday, January 20. The Shaw family is requiring masks be worn at all times in the funeral home and in church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Oscar Romero Parish St. Patrick Church, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery.
When the weather is nicer in the spring there will be a memorial gathering to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant House at www.covananthouse.org.
To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.