Shirley Ann Shaw grew up in Wausau Wisconsin, one of five children born to John and Elena Dzubay. Her brothers and sisters include Dale (Edith) Dzubay, Portland Oregon, Sharon Dzubay, Hudson, WI, John Dzubay, Stewartville, MN, and Beverly (Steve) Novitske, Valrico Florida. Shirley was an active and adventurous girl, loving the out-of-doors, swimming, ice skating, playing the clarinet, cheerleading and baby-sitting for her younger siblings.
She enjoyed her years at Carroll College, being a cheerleader, majoring in elementary education and making life-time friends. She graduated Magna Cum Laude.
It was during her junior year that Shirley was an "ambassador of good will" student at Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow, India. Her year in India was a life changing experience in which she developed a deep appreciation of other cultures and an empathy for the poor of the world.
Shirley's enthusiastic and fun-loving personality equipped her well for her vocation as an elementary teacher. The social studies units were her favorite as she would lead the class in Hawaiian dancing, eating with chop sticks, draping a sari and many other cultural experiences.
On Jan. 22, 1966 Shirley married Brian Shaw. They were to have three children: Lisa, David and Jesse. She thoroughly enjoyed motherhood, raising the children to revere God's creation, appreciate music and delight in the good in others. She was a master at providing very creative birthday parties for them. During those years Shirley was also very active at First Lutheran Church, PEO and enjoyed Tahitian dancing, tennis, playing bridge, and decorating the house for the Holidays. She always looked forward to Halloween, a day in which she would wear her full witches regalia and use her well-practiced witches cackle.
In the 1990's Shirley was a coordinator for establishing "sister churches" between South Africa and Wisconsin. To build these relationships she traveled to South Africa three times and spoke at numerous churches throughout Wisconsin. The job was a perfect fit for her. Later she and Brian graduated from the Northeast Wisconsin Lay School of Ministry and they became active in "Americans Serving African Children".
Shirley had many friends from all walks of life which resulted in personal growth for all. As one of her friends commented recently: "To know Shirley is to become a better person".
Shirley and Brian have eight grandchildren: Cassidy and Sophie, daughters of Scott and Lisa Franzmeier, Thomas, Derek, Benjamin and Josey whose parents are Dave and Amy Shaw, and Delaney and her baby brother to be born in November, whose parents are Jesse and Tabitha Shaw. Shirley and Brian hope to leave a legacy for their grandchildren – one based on Micah 6:8 a verse which was close to Shirley's essence and the text for her sermons: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".
Memorial services will be held at First Lutheran Church, 521 North 8th Street, Manitowoc on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Roald Harswick officiating. Following the memorial service, a social for relatives and friends will be held in the church fellowship hall with coffee and pie. The family will greet relatives and friends at First Lutheran Church on Monday from noon until 1:45 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

May we all celebrate Shirley's well-lived life and appreciate what she brought to us. May her spirit be an encouragement to us as she would lift up the words of the Apostle Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith".

In lieu of flowers, friends could consider contributing to "Americans Serving African Children", 927 S. 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220 or Crossways Camping Ministries, 912 N. Oneida Street, Appleton, WI 54911.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.