Martha “Marty” Jo Shaw
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Martha “Marty” Jo Shaw, 85, of Spokane, Washington, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Born on September 11, 1939, in Topeka, Kansas, Marty lived a full and remarkable life, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and strength.
Marty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Barry Shaw, who passed away on January 30, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Bill Shultz, and her siblings, Jeanie Shultz and Ren Shultz. She is survived by her cherished daughter, Molly Shaw Curran, and son-in-law, Jason Curran, who brought great joy to her life.
Marty’s career spanned 30 years with Trans World Airlines (TWA), where she worked mostly in the purchasing department. During her tenure, she earned numerous awards and accolades, including being named Employee of the Year and receiving the prestigious Award of Excellence. Her professional success was matched by the joy she found in travel, with memorable trips to Courvoisier Cognac’s Château in Jarnac, France, and a special visit to Israel, which became highlights of her life.
Marty was also dedicated to her community, serving on the board of the Leavenworth Jefferson Electric Co-op. Her work there reflected her passion for service and her belief in the importance of supporting local organizations and communities.
Marty’s deep commitment to community service was further evident through her extensive volunteer work. She dedicated her time to St. Luke’s Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Sunnyside School, Johnson County Young Matrons, Johnson County Community College (JCCC), TWA Clipped Wings, and the voting polls in Jefferson County. Her kindness and compassion made a lasting impact on all those she served.
Marty was known for her vibrant, welcoming spirit—she never met a stranger and always lived life heartily and to its fullest. She was the hostess with the mostest, opening her home to friends, family, and even strangers, always making everyone feel like part of the family. Whether hosting a gathering or lending a helping hand, Marty’s generosity and warmth knew no bounds.
She loved living on her ranch, often found mowing the lawn at warp speed, pulling weeds for hours and enjoying the cattle, peace and beauty of the land. Marty also had a passion for playing bridge and knitting, hobbies she deeply enjoyed and shared with close friends and family.
A devoted mother and friend, Marty will be remembered for her beautiful smile, boundless energy, infectious laugh, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. Her life was truly a reflection of her generosity, warmth, and love for others.
Visitation Services will be held at Warren McElwain Funeral Home, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044, on December 12, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will take place at Warren McElwain Funeral Home on December 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM, followed by a burial. Afterward, a lunch will be hosted at Biggs BBQ, 2429 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66046, upstairs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Jefferson County Humane Society, 15295 KS-4, Valley Falls, KS 66088, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Marty was not a fancy-dressed lady, so please wear jeans and KU sweatshirts or sweaters in her honor. She would love to see everyone dressed comfortably and enjoying the celebration of her life.
Marty’s spirit will live on through the countless memories she created with her loved ones. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Molly, Bill and I are very sorry for your loss!
Marty was a great woman and we thought the world of her!
She will be greatly missed, but will be in our thoughts often with all the fun memories!!
We miss Marty everyday. I am grateful to have had the chance to get to know her and see how sweet and loving of a person she was.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Molly and your family.
Marty was a special friend for many years. I have wonderful memories of times with her and dear Barry. Also many fun times with her at our TWA events and her endless ability to share. Marty fly with the TWA angels ✈️
We loved Marty. She and Molly were the first neighbors to welcome us. We became good friends for over the past 30 years and enjoyed lots of good times. Marty recruited us to be part of the community and we became infected with her warm and friendly spirit. The neighborhood Christmas caroling and the parties afterward at her home are some of our favorite memories. We miss her.
Aunt Marty was the best!! My love for Kansas is mostly due to her warmth and generosity and of course the spending a few weeks on the ranch! Sending love to you Molly and family!
As a fairly new friend of Marty’s, she made a giant impression on me. We had a Kentucky Derby party one year and all came wearing beautiful derby hats! She introduced me to Bulleit Bourbon that day and we all had such a lovely time. I will raise my glass to Marty on a life lived well and her beautiful spirit! Bless her family.
We met Barry and Marty in 1983 when we lived in Ft Leavenworth, and co-sponsored together. We became fast friends and spent many many cherished times together, both in adult social events as well as many including our kids… in our home and on their farm!! Our friendship was more like a family bond. We have loved Barry, Marty and their daughter Molly, and though selfishly we are devastated with her passing, we are sure she is happy being with the love of her life, Barry, her parents and siblings! We will miss her terribly !! Rest in God’s peace our dear friend.
Marty was my friend! She was really friends with just about anybody she met! She was always ready and willing to help anybody that needed any help at all. I think Barry and the ranch was a true love from both of them! I have trouble imagining life without her… Often times I’ll think “ oh I’m just going to Marty’s”…… there were four of us that traveled together, especially like to go to Charleston. Melba still lives in Charleston but now there’s only two of us Melba and me.
Marty was my friend
She was kind and friendly and funny, and she would do anything for you if even if you didn’t ask
I know she missed Barry terribly when he died and I like to think they’re together in heaven
Tons of great stories to remember
Dear Molly, I am so sorry for your loss of your mom and the loss for all of us who knew and loved Marty. I volunteered at LMH with her for 10+ years and she was a great leader and friend of the Tuesday morning Escort group. Unfortunately I will miss the service because I am out of town but I think of Marty often with deepest affection.
Marty was a bright light at Riverview when Husband Scott and I visited Dad Wayne and met and made friends with Marty. She was welcoming, grateful and resilient with everything she faced. She warmly welcomed me, was so good to my dad, and had witty statements and observations. I will always remember saying “see you tomorrow, Marty” and she replied “I’ll be here!”. We can all be inspired by her strength through adversity, and her forgiving gracious ways. Thank you, Marty, for the gift of your daughter, Molly, now my dear friend. May you be hosting gatherings in heaven with my mom, Wilma.
When I think of Marty, I think of a wonderful warmness ,spirit, friendliness and generosity. I met Marty through the people to people program and it was a friendship immediately. We had many wonderful trips together, starting with a trip to Mardi Gras to my hometown New Orleans and she got adopted by my family. Through the years we’ve had many cruises together. What I loved about Marty, you could call her and say you wanna go somewhere and she was ready.
Marty never knew a stranger. I will miss her terribly but know she’s in a better place.
Marty was a beacon of sunshine to anyone path that she crossed. She never knew a stranger. She was friendly, kind, generous, and so many other things. I met Marty through people to people. It was an instant friendship. We had many wonderful trips together. You could call and say Marty you want to go here and she would say when are we leaving. She was always ready to go. I think my favorite trip with her was one to New Orleans my hometown for Mardi Gras. She made friends with everybody in the parade group that was around us. She was a joy. I will miss her terribly, but know she is in a better place with those who she lost and loved. Rest in peace Marty.
Molly, We are so sorry to learn of Marty’s passing. She was one of the kindest, warmest people ever. There is a little less light in the world now.
So sorry to learn of Marty’s passing. Knowing her since our high school days, I join many in expressing my love for her kindness, service, and generosity that marked her life. She is “one of a kind”, and I will always call her my friend. RIP Marty. Bob Lockwood