Obituary of Sandra Shaw

On June 12th, 1942 Sandra was given to this world by God, and on the afternoon of August 1st, 2013, while surrounded by family in her home, Sandra passed peacefully back into the arms of The Lord. Sandra was unwavering in her ten year battle with cancer. She was 71 years old. Sandra was born to the late Julius and Helen Janisch in St. Paul, MN. She is a graduate of St. Paul Central High School. Sandra was married to Norman Shaw at St. Paul United Church of Christ on November 14, 1970. They lived together and raised their children in North Branch, MN for 40 years before relocating to Cambridge, MN in 2011. She was a member of South Isanti Baptist Church for many years, and most recently of Cambridge Lutheran Church. After high school, she worked at Union Loan and Thrift and the Twin Cities Arsenal. She loved music and singing, and performed in operettas at St. Paul's Como Park Pavilion. She was an active member and volunteer secretary in the NAACP in the 1960s. Throughout her life she volunteered with the DFL party, her children's schools, 4-H, Boy Scouts, the American Red Cross, church, and with many more organizations. She loved the outdoors and canoeing in the Boundary Waters. When her children were young, Sandra dedicated her years to their upbringing as a stay at home mother. Her children and grandchildren echo the legacy of her love for God, nature, music and humanity. Even in her death, Sandra's desire to give of herself was evident in her decision to bequeath her body to the U of MN anatomy program. We are so proud of her generosity and bravery in life and death. We will miss her tremendously, but are grateful for the time that we had her, and we look forward to seeing her again one day. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Sharon Janisch and Mary Hendrix. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Norman Shaw, and their children, Susan Shaw, Laura (Doug) Ringwelski, Sarah Shaw, and Patrick (Kristin) Shaw; Grandchildren, Tyler, Logan, Jenna, Peter, Thomas and Christian; Brothers, Michael (Lori) Janisch and Richard (Lynn) Janisch, Sister, Jeanne Janisch (Gene Salber), her cousins, nieces, nephews and so many more family and friends. In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that memorials be made out to Smile Train.