Shaw, Constance “Connie” Lorraine - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Connie Shaw, age 88, on December 11, 2024. She passed peacefully after a lengthy illness and was surrounded by family.
She was born Constance “Connie” Lorraine O’Leary in Glace Bay, the only child of the late James Patrick O’Leary and Mabel Bertha (Gay) O’Leary. She was a graduate of Morrison High School (Business Ed. class of 1953) Glace Bay. She was married to the love of her life, Joseph “Gus” Shaw, for 63 years until his passing in 2020. Shortly after their marriage, Connie and Gus moved to Halifax, where she worked as a legal administrative assistant for eight years, before moving to Goose Bay, Labrador. She loved this northern experience, and has said that those were some of the best years of her life. In 1967, Connie, Gus and their three children moved to Truro, where she lived until her passing. There, Connie was the Immaculate Conception Church office manager for eighteen years. She finished her working career as a sales assistant at Reitman’s, a job she loved and didn’t retire from until she was 80 years old. Connie was a long-standing sorority member of Beta Sigma Phi, as well as the Red Hatter’s Society of Truro. She served terms as the treasurer of the Truro Figure Skaters Club and the Truro Girl Guides Association. Connie was a founding member of the Colchester Highland Dancing Society, and worked tirelessly for many years in support of this organization. She loved movies, theater and “Elvis”. She loved to travel, especially her annual September road trips with Gus down the eastern seaboard of US, to celebrate their anniversary. As Connie was a tremendous lover of Christmas, and created many wonderful memories and traditions that her family continues to cherish, it is particularly heartbreaking that she passed at this time. Connie was very selfless and giving person. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She cherished all of the relationships she shared with all of her friends.
She will be missed most of all by her loving family, son, Jim Shaw (Colleen); daughter, Kelly Terris (Terry); and daughter, Paula Shaw (Randy Fisher); grandchildren, Joe Shaw (Jessica), John Shaw (Jenna Young), James Shaw (Anne Marie Campbell) and Sarah Shaw; and great-grandson, Owen Shaw.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
Many thanks to the staff at Vimy Court for the care and comfort provided during this difficult time.
A celebration of Connie’s life will take place on Sunday, December 29, at 3 p.m., in First United Church, Truro, with a reception to follow in the church hall. She will be returning to her beloved Cape Breton, to be laid to rest with her husband and parents.
Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.
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