Mary Nevella Shaw

Mary Nevella Shaw was born in Colorado, to Joseph Lynn and Neva B. (Clark) Shaw in 1923. She graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado, then graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in biology and spent several years teaching in the Southwest. She continued her love of the Southwest and the Native communities established there for the remainder of her life. She married and divorced, obtained a Masters, and eventually moved to Orange County, California, where she began teaching and counseling at Fullerton Community College. Always interested in the ocean and marine biology, she traveled throughout the world doing research; at last count, she visited more than 65 countries and made friends all over the world. Mary never lost her interest in science, travel and learning and became such an admired instructor and counselor that students would stand in line just to see her and/or take her classes. Her emphasis was on helping women re-enter school, and she helped many of them begin careers and/or move out of desperate situations to start new lives. She became involved in a number of agencies and boards that dealt with issues of addiction and abuse and served on at least one California state board. In addition, she served on the board of The Villa, a women’s recovery center in Orange County, for over 20 years, and her dedication to it remained a strong part of her life. Mary was a member of several organizations and a lifelong (and third generation) member of P.E.O; she was also a faithful member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Fullerton. There she worked as a lay counselor. She also worked on several boards that assisted Native American students in acquiring a secondary education. She was selected as Counselor and Teacher of the Year, and a few years ago, was selected by the governor as Orange County’s Woman of the Year. In addition, Mary became instrumental in establishing a foundation at Fullerton Community College and worked continually on it. She also helped establish a museum in Brea, CA. Throughout Orange County, her name was well known as someone who knew how to motivate, educate, and facilitate. After her semi-retirement, she sustained a serious injury, and eventually made her way up to Yreka where she resided for nearly three years. She loved the area, having been visiting it for more than 45 years with her best friends, Lou and Dorothy Fiorini. Two of her “adopted daughters” include Gail Jenner, wife of Scott Valley rancher Doug Jenner, and Pat Peterson, wife of the late Todd M. Peterson (attorney-at-law) of Etna. Her third adopted daughter is Dr. Teresa Davis, a semi-retired professor at CSU Chico, who is married to Mark Davis, of Chico, CA. Mary quickly made a home in Siskiyou County and joined the local chapter of P.E.O., AAUW, and Eastern Star. She became a volunteer at the Siskiyou County Museum and helped establish the group Friends of the Siskiyou County Museum; she even served as its first president. She attended Mt. Zion Lutheran Church where she made many new and important friends. The last six months of her life, Mary lived at Oakmont Assisted Living in Redding, CA. As always, she became involved in people’s lives, in particular, those interested in pursuing a start in college or struggling with personal issues. She passed away peacefully on March 29, 2019, at Oakmont, just short of her 96th birthday. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister, Geraldine “Gerry” Miller, of Colorado, and two nephews, Randy Miller (wife Kris) of Colorado, and John Miller (wife Debbie) of Orange County. She leaves behind two great nephews and two great nieces and several great great nieces/nephews, and many wonderful dear friends. A burial for Mary will take place on Saturday, April 20, at 11:30, at the Etna Cemetery; Pastor Lori of Mt. Zion will conduct the services. A celebration of life service will be held at a date to be determined at both Mt. Zion and Emmanuel in Orange County. Those wishing more information, may call Gail at 530.598.1507, or Teresa at 530.570.4004. Funeral arrangements have been made through Girdner Funeral Chapel (www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com), and donations can be made to favorite charities, or Friends of the Siskiyou County Museum, or Madrone Hospice.

Mary Nevella Shaw

June 13, 1923 - March 29, 2019