Kathleen Marie “Kathy” Shaw, 73, of Washington, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Shadyside Hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Windber, Somerset County, on March 6, 1951. Her parents were the late Frank and Anna Mae Wadsworth Giblock.
Kathy earned her diploma from Ebensburg’s Bishop Carroll High School in 1969. In 1972, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Clarion University. Throughout her career, Kathy taught language arts at St. Hilary Parochial School and French at Dubois Area School District. She participated actively in the life of St. James Parish in Washington, D.C., serving as a lector, choir member, extraordinary minister, and volunteer in other ministries.
Kathy led summer day camps, Thinking Days, and training programs for the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Pennsylvania for many years. She also served as a troop leader. For more than 30 years, her lifelong scouting buddies created the Green Angels team, which donated their time and collected funds for cancer research at the Relay For Life every May.
She found great satisfaction in music, floral gardening, crocheting, and having luncheon dates with close friends. Her twin girls and spouse were the center of her life and affection. She wed Don Shaw, a Washington resident, on June 8, 1974 in Lilly. Her two Washington-based daughters, Kelly Shaw and Kristen Shaw, as well as her brother, Thomas (Marcia) Giblock of Gillette, Wyoming, are still alive.
Her sister-in-law Debbie (Carl) Shaw, brother-in-law James Shaw, and nieces and nephews Shannon (Gretchen) Giblock, Gavin Giblock, Jamie (Tim) Deimling, Alyssa, Jacob, and Hailey Deimling, Matt (Jan) Giblock, and Nancy Shaw are all living. Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 8 p.m., will be friends’ hours at Dale D. DeAngelo Funeral Home, 1290 Jefferson Avenue, Washington.
On Friday, May 17, departing prayers will take place at 10 a.m., and there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Kathy will be deeply missed by her family and friends, who will always remember her kindness, compassion, and dedication to her community.
Kathy was a devoted mother, wife, and friend, and her passing leaves a great void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the memories she created. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Pennsylvania or the American Cancer Society in Kathy’s name. These organizations were close to her heart, and she spent many years volunteering and supporting their causes.
Kathy’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Shadyside Hospital for their care and compassion during her final days. Your kindness and support meant the world to us, and we are forever grateful.
As we say goodbye to our beloved Kathy, we take comfort in the memories we shared with her and the impact she had on our lives. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.
Friends and family are invited to share their favorite memories of Kathy at the funeral home during visiting hours or at the church during the Mass of Christian Burial. Your stories and anecdotes will help us celebrate her life and remember her in the best possible way.
In closing, we say goodbye to our dear Kathy, but we know that her spirit will live on in our hearts and memories. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.
