Marjorie M. Shaw

Marjorie was a woman with a great love of life, who possessed a great respect for life, and the beauty of the human spirit. She had so much beauty in her own life, so much kindness and compassion. Marjorie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, but above all, she was simply a remarkable lady to all who knew her. The year was 1921, and America was still in celebration of its momentous victory in World War I, and beginning to rev up the Roaring Twenties. Prohibition was now in full effect, with the 18th Amendment ratified just a year earlier. But with the passing of the 19th Amendment, granting Women's Suffrage, there was a renewed sense of hope and prosperity surrounding the nation in 1921, as America moved from the Industrial Age to a new, Progressive Era. Here in this little corner of the globe, Gerald and Lucy (Floyd) Gale had their own reasons for hope and celebration, with the birth of a beautiful baby daughter. Marjorie was born April 28, 1921, on a warm Thursday in Shelby, Michigan, the first of three daughters born to the Gale family. Her family lived in Shelby briefly when she was a small child, before moving to Whitehall, where her father took a job as a grocery store manager. Eventually the family moved further south, to the sandy shores of Muskegon, where Marjorie would call home. The family lived in the Nelson Neighborhood in Muskegon, close to Nelson Junior High, and across the street from Mina Carlson. Mina and Marjorie formed a special, lasting bond, and Mina was like a second mother to her. Marjorie's formative years came during the Great Depression, and like so many others, those dark days had a profound impact on her, and her outlook on the world. And while those times of hardship could have hardened so many hearts, Marjorie somehow escaped unscarred, yet forever changed. The Depression gave her a tremendous work ethic, but more importantly, it gave her a profound belief in the beauty of the human spirit, which she always had in abundance. Marjorie graduated from Muskegon High School in 1940, and went to work for Sealed Power in Muskegon for awhile after high school. Needing to get out and see some of the world, she took a friend up on her offer to move to San Francisco, where she lived with an aunt while she worked. But eventually, Marjorie returned to Muskegon, returned home, ready to begin a new life in the place she realized she missed so much. Soon Marjorie's life would change. She was introduced to a young man, George Lawrence, who had recently returned home from WW II, where he stormed the beaches at Normandy. Marjorie was working with George's sister, who arranged the introduction. She was instantly attracted to George, whom she respected right away. Their courtship soon turned into love and they were married in 1946. Together Marjorie and George had three wonderful children, all boys, all just five years apart. Barry was the first born, followed by Jim and Mark, filling their home with love and laughter. But sadly, George died in 1980, after 25 years of marriage. The following year, Marjorie's youngest son, Mark, was getting married, but he wouldn't be alone in taking the plunge. Marjorie met a man at the wedding named Lloyd C. Shaw, who also happened to be the uncle of the bride. Little did they know, but the children had been in cahoots to arrange their introduction, by making Lloyd the Master of Ceremonies, so he couldn't sneak away and had to meet Marjorie! So their "chance" meeting took place, and they hit it off right away. Lloyd was very impressed with the vivacious Marjorie, of course, but also her wonderful sons, who had grown into such fine young men. They all piqued his interest. She and Lloyd married in May of 1981, but not before he earned approval from Mina Carlson, her surrogate mother, and the woman her sons referred to as "Grandma" Carlson. Thankfully for Lloyd (and Marjorie), he passed inspection! Lloyd and Marjorie began a beautiful marriage together, and wanting her all to himself, he coaxed her to retire early from Muskegon Piston Ring, a job she loved. Lloyd even talked to her bosses to let her go, something they were quite reluctant to do after 29 years of excellent work. But with Marjorie retired, she and Lloyd enjoyed many wonderful years, and would travel around in his RV when they first were married, hitting the open road just the two of them, embarking on new adventures together. In the wintertime, they escaped the icy chill of lake-effect snow to the sunny beaches of Bradenton, Florida for 18 years. Marjorie had plenty to keep her busy when she wasn't traveling, though. She always loved to look nice, and got her hair done on a weekly basis. And she loved to spend time with her many friends, also. She was a friend to so many people, and when she made friends it was a lifelong bond. She was also very musically talented, a trait she displayed early in life when she tap-danced in high school, and took up Clogging later in life, too. Marjorie loved music very much, and sang in the church choir at First Christian Church in Muskegon, where she was a lifelong member. She had many friends from church, and talked to them regularly, if not in person then on the phone. Marjorie's musical talents were passed along to her son Jim, as well as her grandchildren, but her other two sons, Barry and Mark, somehow missed that beat! It's always been a running joke in the family how that talent missed them. But all of Marjorie's children were blessed in so many other ways, mostly by having such an amazing mother as Marjorie. She loved her family dearly, especially her daughter-in-laws, Susan, Janice and Sallie, the daughters she never had of her own. She simply adored each of her 13 grandchildren, as well, whom she affectionately called her "Baker's Dozen." Her family was so dear to her, and they felt the same. She always taught them to "Stay close to your family," which was always most important. Marjorie had such a love of people, with a truly caring and compassionate heart. She was always concerned for the welfare of others, not just those around her, but all of mankind as well. She was a devoted, lifelong Democrat, and a card-carrying member of the AFL-CIO, a woman who always looked out for others, yet never wanted to be fussed over herself. You see, more than anything, Marjorie was a woman who believed in people, and believed in the beauty of the human spirit. She died Thursday, February 9, 2006, on a cold, sunny morning in Muskegon, but her beauty and spirit live on. Marjorie was a woman who believed in others. She made believers out of us, as well. She will be greatly missed. Her surviving family includes husband, Lloyd C. Shaw of Muskegon; 3 sons, Barry (Susan) Lawrence of Grand Rapids, Jim (Janice) Lawrence & Mark (Sallie) Lawrence, both of Muskegon; 13 grandchildren & 10 great-granchildren; 2 step-children, Donna (Jack) Nordin of Salinas, CA & Ron (Shirley) Shaw of Traverse City, MI; 2 sisters, Viva (Merle) Hoaglund of Muskegon & Gerry (John) Patterson of Holton; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, George Lawrence in March of 1980; special surrogate mother, Mina Carlson; step-mother, Merla Gale.