Tribute Wall
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Tina Delano posted a condolence
My sympathy goes out to the family. One of my childhood memories is getting off the school bus with Holly and walking into the house to find cookies right out of the oven. When I moved to the top of the hill, I was a regular at your house playing with Holly. Oh what fun we had in the summer playing out in the barn and the sleepovers out there. You were fortunate to have a mom like her and for so many years.
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Fred & Pat Hedenberg posted a condolence
Frances was a fiesty, funny lady with a heart of gold. I think of her every year as I use her biscuit recipe for the Aspinock Historical Society Strawberry Shortcake Social. It is the standard for everyone. You were fortunate to have her with you for so many years.
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Gertie McRAE posted a condolence
SHE WAS A VERY SPECIAL LADY.
I REMBER WHEN SHE AND BUTCH
CAME TO FL.TO VISIT HER BROTHER THEY ALLWAYS CAME BY STARKE AND VISITED WITH BOB AND I. AND FRANSIS AND I WOULD TAKE ON THE BOYS IN A GAME OF CANASTA.THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER TIMES WE ENJOYED THERR VISITS WITH THEM IN CT.
ALSO WHEN WE WENT TO CT TO VISIT OUR DAUGHTER AND THEIR
FAMILY.BUTCH WOULD TAKE US GOLFING
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chris jankot and margaret gradie posted a condolence
We are saddened to hear of mrs. shaw's passing. we miss her already.
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kristin Collins posted a condolence
Even though you didn't want my voice on your answering machine...I will always love you and will miss you so much!
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Nancy Weiss posted a condolence
Dear Shaw Family - I remember fondly many happy times at your family home when Holly and I were in high school. Your mother enjoyed cooking for her family and providing treats for us when Holly has slumber parties in the barn. Your parents were very fine people.
Recently I talked with your mother at the market about her quilt group. I wish I has interviewed her for a story!
Jim joins me in extending our deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Nancy
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Louise Pempek posted a condolence
To all the Shaws,
My heartfelt sympathy is with each one of you. Frances was a "pillar" in our area. You should be so very proud as you celebrate her life. Cherish the memories of a beautiful, compassionate lady and her long and productive life. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Louise
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Candi posted a condolence
I first met Francis Shaw when I was 11 months old and came to Putnam to be the daughter of Bob and Esther Smith on Hurry Hill Road. I called her Auntie Francis and I called her husband Uncle Clayton. I can remember going up to the attic to play “dress-up” (I was Superman), or the back door left open even though no one was home and helping myself to unrefrigerated soft butter and bread, or Holly playing the piano as I sang songs from “Brigadoon” or “Wildcat” or sheet music we found in the attic. I remember hearing the World Premiere of Carlysle Floyd’s opera “Susannah” as sung by Frances’ brother Walter and his family on the stage of Hurry Hill House. I remember the cubbyhole behind the fireplace where fugitive slaves from the Underground Railroad most likely hid. When I was little, I surprised their dog Sparky in a thicket and he nipped me; Sparky was “put down” and I always blamed myself for his death because I surprised him. It wasn’t his fault. Holly and I used to sit in the attic and watch thunderstorms walking their way up Hurry Hill. They had an outhouse outside the barn that I dubbed “The Pee-House of the August Moon.” As a neighborhood – the Evans family, the Grady family, the Shaw family and the Smith family –we slid. It would snow and we would take our sleds down Hurry Hill. Some parents at the top of the hill, some at the bottom, hot chocolate waiting at each end, the rapid way down, the long way up, fueled by hot chocolate made the old way, with hot milk. Or sliding in the “back fields”, sliding on our bellies, trying to dodge the young pine trees, across the swale onto Mr. Kimball’s clear cow pasture beyond. In later summers, Holly and I would sit back-to-back on Pierce Road and watch the meteor showers. Or, after taking the younger kids around trick-and-treating, we’d sit on the wood swing under the apple tree and feast on concord grapes in the moonlight. No finer way to grow up! And as I grew up, Frances encouraged my writing. I was young, derivative and easily influenced by other writers; Frances was a voice of her own, something I’ve heard said of Hemingway. She was true to her voice. She was also an extremely complex person. She could invite confidences, then betray them. She could be bossy, she could be a bully, she could be as opinionated as I was. So we had, then, a love/hate relationship – but one that never lacked respect, even up to her last days. She ratted me out to my parents after reading my poetry to a married man. She evicted me from her parents’ side of the house. She was always – if not a friend – a worthy adversary and a colleague. There is a paradox there, I know, but that is due to the complexity of Frances Shaw. When I was a little girl, Mom said to Auntie Francis, “She can’t sing on key. Should she be in the Junior Choir?” Frances said, “Give her time, Esther, she’ll get there.” I did. And so did Auntie Frances.
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Luanne Bond posted a condolence
Kristin,
Please know that we are thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your grandmother. We hope that your memories give you strength. Love, Luanne & Ken Bond
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Barbara Fisher Moseley posted a condolence
My condolences to the Shaw and James families. Mrs. Shaw was an intregal part of my childhood church life and a strong influence in my love for music with her skills as an organist. She encouraged the youth of the church to learn songs of other generations and enjoy it! The church thrived because of the dedication of the Shaws and their devotion to the church families. She will be greatly missed, but her life was long and full.
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Michelle posted a condolence
Spending time at the house on the hill, really enriched my highschool years.