Hilary Shaw

On January 9, 2024, in Carroll County, Maryland, the precious soul of Hilary Shaw departed this world to be with our Lord in heaven, following a valiant 6.5-year battle with stage 4 cancer. She left this earth in a scene reminiscent of the setting she cherished most in life --  in the company of her loving family members.

Hilary was born July 8, 1974, in Baltimore County, Maryland, where she went on to enjoy a boisterous and happy life as the baby of the family. With the loving support of her parents, and the companionship of her sisters Mimi and Alicia and her brother Denny, she enjoyed a childhood filled with outdoor activities and sports. Adulthood extended her love of such pursuits and her siblings continued to be her favorite playmates.

Following graduation in 1992 from The Catholic High School of Baltimore, Hilary continued her education, earning degrees and certificates: Shippensburg University, 1997, BS  in Criminal Justice; Community College of Baltimore, 2003, Certificate in Paralegal Studies; Towson University, 2014, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Security Assessment and Management; 2014, Order of the Sword and Shield National Honors Society; Towson University, 2016, MS in Integrated Homeland Security Management. Hilary was employed by the Department of Defense.

Hilary was predeceased by her dear big sister Mimi.  Left behind to cherish the many loving memories of this remarkable woman are her parents Dennis and Marita Shaw, her sister Alicia Shaw, her brothers Dennis (Lori) Shaw and Cameron (Donora) Shaw, as well as nephews Nicholas Notarangelo, Alejandro,  Joshua, and Noah Najarro, Samuel Shaw, Killian Shaw, nieces Zahary Paz and Merrin Shaw, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as countless friends.

Family was everything to Hilary, yet her love and loyalty extended to numerous friends, old and new. Her kindness, her outrageous sense of humor, and her ready laugh instantly drew to her all who met her.  She went out of her way to be kind to every person she met, and, even as she endured her own battle with cancer, counseled numerous others new to such a diagnosis.  Hilary provided them with practical advice and a willing shoulder to cry on. Hilary's giving spirit and love of sports found her coaching youth soccer teams, which, under her excellent direction, dominated the field.  In the midst of her busy life, she made time for adopting shelter dogs, many of whom were special needs dogs, which she lavished with loving care.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 AM, March 1, 2024, at St Joseph Catholic Church, 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA  17331. A Celebration of Life is planned for March 2, 2024, at 2 PM at Lineboro Fire Hall, 4224 East Main Street, Lineboro, MD 21102.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Leashes End ( https://leashesend.org ) and/or to St Joseph Catholic Church of Hanover, PA ( http://stjosephparishhanover.org