Marita Shaw

On July 17, 2025, Marita "Mimi" Leary Shaw passed peacefully at her home in Lineboro, Maryland, in the company of her devoted husband and her loving children and grandchildren, to make her journey to the House of her Savior.

Marita was born the fifth child of nine to Edward and Marie (née Lynch) Leary in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 22, 1943. She was the second daughter,  arriving 16 months after Arlene, whose baby mouth tagged her little sister  "Mimi,"  the  nickname she carried throughout her life.

Growing up with her eight siblings in Middle River, Maryland, Mimi loved running around outside, climbing trees, riding her bike, and enjoying the boisterous company of her brothers and sisters.  She was always ready for the next adventure, a trait she carried into adulthood.

After graduating  from The Catholic High School of Baltimore, Mimi was employed in clerical work.  Her favorite and most long-standing of such jobs was in the office at Fleming and Sheeley Company in Essex, Maryland.  But, following her 1966 marriage to the love of her life Dennis Shaw, she began her most cherished career in 1968, that of full-time homemaker and mother.

Mimi loved to learn and was an avid reader. She enjoyed camping, she was very competitive,  and she excelled in games such as softball and cornhole.  But her most cherished time was any time that was spent with her family.  For her kids and her grandkids, she was the most energetic cheerleader, and, whether watching or coaching,  she could always be found in a front row seat. Mimi will be remembered by all who loved her for her quick wit and for the steadfast loyalty and  generosity that she displayed to her entire extended family.

Marita is survived by her husband of 59 years, Dennis Shaw,  her daughter  Alicia Shaw, and her sons Dennis (Lori) Shaw and Cameron (Donora) Shaw.  She was predeceased by two daughters, Mimi and Hilary.  Marita also leaves behind grandsons Nicholas Notarangelo;  Alejandro,  Joshua, and Noah (Zahary) Najarro;  Samuel Shaw;  Killian Shaw, granddaughter Merrin Shaw, and great-granddaughter Zoey Najarro .

Her older brothers predeceased her – Ronald, Donald, and Edward Leary – and she is survived by her sisters Arlene (Clint) Smith, Sheila (Dave) Gierisch, Carole Leary, Elaine (Larry) Williams, and her brother Kenneth Leary.  She also leaves behind  numerous nieces and nephews.

Marita  valued being a member of the parish of St Joseph's Catholic Church of Hanover, Pennsylvania, where a funeral Mass will be offered at  1 PM, August 1, 2025.