Dorothy Nixon Shaw
Date of Passing:
Dorothy Nixon Shaw, 85, of Riverside, RI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Born in Oceana, VA to John Edward Nixon and Mary Amelia (Sawyer) Nixon, she was a member of the first graduating class of Princess Anne High School in 1955. She later graduated from Norfolk College of Business where she was a member of Alpha Iota International Honorary Business Sorority. In 1958 she married Stanley Allen Shaw, Jr., the love of her life. Their travels and adventures brought them to California, South Carolina, Scotland UK, and Maine before moving to St. Andrew’s School in Barrington where Stan began his teaching career in 1964.
She loved living in community, beginning with her own family. Her children knew they were uniquely valued and unconditionally loved. The home was always filled with music and a hub of activity where all were welcomed. For 32 years she was part of the St. Andrew’s School community. In May 1998, together with her husband, the couple was inducted into the St. Andrew’s School Hall of Fame as “senior master and beloved friends of the students.”
Through her membership in the Barrington Junior Women’s and Senior Women’s Clubs, she made lifelong, cherished friends in the Barrington community. She had an abiding faith and made Barrington Baptist Church her spiritual home for the past 58 years.
She worked for many years as an administrative assistant at Tockwotton Home and later at St. Elizabeth Place (formerly Westminster Place) in Providence. There was room in her heart for so many. She had a special gift for working with the elderly, treating each resident with dignity, kindness and compassion. She was honored by the Red Cross for saving the life of a co-worker in distress.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Stanley Allen Shaw, Jr., of Riverside; her daughter, Mary A. Shaw (Bobbe) of Cumberland; son, Michael B. Shaw of Riverside; son, Stephen J. Shaw (Sara) of Greensboro, NC; and son, David A. Shaw (Robin) of Smithfield. She leaves three grandchildren, James T. Shaw (Ashley), Hailey T. Shaw and Aiden C. Shaw, and a great-granddaughter, Aria M. Shaw. In addition, she is survived by a sister, Virginia Nixon Runnels of Pensacola, FL; a brother, William A. Nixon (Edna Jean) of Virginia Beach, VA; her brother-in-law, Gerald L. Shaw (Nancy) of Santa Maria, CA; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Stanley A. Shaw III (“Skipper”); sister Clarine A. Brehm; brothers: John E. Nixon, Jr., Howard T. Nixon and Charles D. Nixon; and her brother-in-law, John G. Shaw (“Greg”).
Special thanks to her wonderful ICU nurses and doctors at The Miriam Hospital as well as her visiting nurse, Susan Finnegan, who attended her with exquisite care and kindness.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 3 – 6 p.m. in the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside, RI.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME at 8:45 a.m. with a funeral service at Barrington Baptist Church, 25 Old County Rd., Barrington at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI. Contributions in Dorothy’s memory to St. Andrew’s School, 63 Federal Rd., Barrington, RI 02806 would be deeply appreciated.
To know Dottie is to love her. Dottie was such a sweet, warm wonderful person. We are thinking of Stan and Dottie’s family and close friends and wishing you strength at this very difficult time. You are in our hearts and prayers!
Dear Stan & Family,
Laure, Chris and their family join me in expressing our deep sadness about Dottie. We remember the great times we had with Dottie and the Shaws over the years. Dottie was always ready for a good time and graciously shared her gift of hospitality and love for family and friends.
Love to you all,
Ken Turn along with the Mulrooney Family
P.S. when we all get to heaven, we will rejoice together!
I will miss my sweet cousin Dottie so very much! She had a way for making you feel so loved & cared about. She always had a smile to share. And she & Stan brought up very loving & caring children! I have cherished memories of visiting with them when they were here in Maine every summer. Rest in peace Dottie! Fly high with the Angels. Your have certainly gained your wings. A little piece of my heart is with you! Continued prayers for all the family during this difficult time. Love to you all!
Dot was the next door neighbor that everyone wants. Welcoming, gracious and so much more. Her smiling face will be missed by all but everyone who knew her can now smile and be thankful that they did! In my prayers,,Corinne
Dottie was the welcoming committee for St. Andrew’s. She always reached out to those who needed a listening ear and motherly advice. She was a friend to us all. So sorry to hear this sad news. Dottie will be truly missed.
Love, Laurie White
This is an excerpt from a letter by poet, William Blake:
She is now the companion of Angels. May you continue to be more and more persuaded that every Mortal loss is an Immortal Gain. The Ruins of Time build Mansions in Eternity.
Nancy and I are so sad to note that Dottie has passed away. My first memories of her (as Chuck wrote above) are as the “life of the party,” especially at the St. Andrew’s Christmas Party – so happy and gay. But my stronger memory of her is of the fortitude, courage, and will she has demonstrated over her last decades in confronting various health issues. We have always been amazed at how cheerful she was in the face of some serious problems. She will be a role model to the rest of us as we age and experience our own difficulties. She will be sorely missed. (By the way, Nancy has covid and will not be able to make it to the services … if I test negative on Sunday, I will be there, albeit masked and at a distance.)
Thinking of the family at this hard time ,may the comforter Comfort you and give you strength for the season.Mum is in a better place and her legacy lives on.Sincere condolences to David Shaw and family.
Lovely lady,wonderful family,felt part of it as houseboy at St Andrews.
We are so sorry.Dottie was the life of a party. Outgoing to all and always a smile that would light up a room.
Chuck an Ellen Gordon
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, Mike.
May she rest in peace, my friend. ✝️
When I think of Dottie, I think of praying from the heart, dear friend, charitable works, lovely family, music, prayerful tea parties, birthday celebrations, great laugh…
Dot was a wonderful person and a dear friend. We had many memorable times with her and her family. We will miss her.
Love,
Linda and Web
Grandma Dottie was such a beautiful person. She treated our family like we were her own. We are truly heartbroken. Shaw family please know we love you guys and you are in our prayers.
I was so sorry to hear of your loss.
Dottie was always SO friendly, happy and kind feeling toward all the world!
She (and you, Stan) will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
May God bless her AND you and the rest of your family!
Lots of Love, John Paul
Dottie and I were close friends for over 50 years. We often talked about how lucky we were to have such wonderful families. Dottie, our southern belle, my clan and I miss you already and you live in our hearts forever.
Thinking of you and praying for peace and solace.
Karan Anderson Phillips