Maureen Shaw

Maggie Valley, Maureen Ann Calkins Shaw, 88, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at her residence.

A native of Wisconsin, she was daughter of the late Earl Maitlen and Mary Anne Heckemovich Calkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Cleveland Shaw, her sisters, Darlene and Kathleen and her brother, Rich.

Maureen is survived by sisters Coleen (Coke) and Sharon (Shari); son, Vance Cleveland Shaw and wife, Rene’; son, Eric Jon Shaw, Sr.; grandson, Eric (Rik) Shaw, Jr., and wife Jennifer; granddaughter, Michaeli (Mikki) Shaw Knight and husband Mark; granddaughter, Rachael Shaw; and great-grandchildren born of Eric, Jr. and Jennifer, Ethan, and Kai.

Maureen became well adept at childrearing, being forced at an early age to become parent to her own younger siblings following the unexpected death of her mother. Once married to her sweetheart, Roy Shaw, she found comfort in raising their two sons, Vance, and Eric.

Although a native of Madison, Wisconsin, Maureen lived many other places through her husband’s employment with NASA, the well-known National Aeronautics Space Administration. However, their childrearing days were spent in Huntsville, Alabama, where Roy was actively involved with NASA, serving as the Saturn 5 Test Stand Director and Supervisor over the pre-launch Hubble Space Telescope Team. Maureen enjoyed her domestic responsibilities, sewing clothes and pursuing other creative endeavors such as pottery making. Following her husband’s retirement, the couple moved to their final home, where they remained for over 25 years, in the heart of Maggie Valley, NC. Here, they found comfort in the enjoyment of everyday life in addition to the oft-planned travels to various parts of the United States. Maggie Valley indulged their love of nature, the natural beauty of the outdoors including the natural flora and fauna seen in the area.

Maureen participated in the local church and school’s activities, in addition to the local boy scouts in Huntsville. Family travels out west were yearly educational and social activities in which the family enjoyed hiking, biking, and camping. Once in Maggie Valley, life slowed a bit, yet whenever the opportunity arose, she and Roy would continue their travels, to places including the Washington, DC area and national parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite. Following her husband’s death in 2010, she allowed the simple pleasures of life, such as birdwatching and observing nature from her own residence, where various birds, elk, boomers, and groundhogs were frequent visitors to her deck and surrounding area.

Maureen Shaw was lovingly cared for during her final year and a half of her life by Kulubo Wah, who selflessly gave of herself as she accompanied her in the home.

No funeral arrangements will be made. A Celebration of Life gathering for those who continued to be involved with Maureen’s life during her final years on this earth is expected.

Prayers, thoughts, and wishes are appreciated specifically to and for the sons, Vance and Eric, Sr. at this time in the loss of their mother.

In lieu of flowers or attendance of services, anyone is welcome to give donations in her memory to the non-profit of their choosing. All are welcome to add uplifting pictures or messages through Wells Funeral Home website.

2 Corinthians 5:8 allows us this comfort in that “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

The care of Mrs. Shaw has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.