Obituary of Mary A. Shaw

Mary Shaw (née Kierst), a longtime Madison resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by her boys on Friday, November 25, 2022 after a long illness. She was 61.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 40 years, William “Bill” Shaw; her cherished sons, Christopher Shaw (Chelsea) & Matthew Shaw (Carrie); her brother, George Kierst (Karen); her sister, Carol Kierst; and many more very close nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Mary was a wonderful wife and mother to her two devoted sons. She was a kind and caring woman who always had a smile and helping hand ready for whomever needed it.

Mary was born in South Amboy on January 6, 1961 to the late George and Florence Kierst. She met her future husband Bill at a roller-skating rink in South Amboy in 1980, and the couple married on October 23, 1982. They eventually settled in Madison to raise their family and she worked with her husband for 30 years.

More recently Mary loved working as the Floral Manger at the Chatham Shop Rite. She cherished the interactions she had with customers and their children. She loved giving out balloons and lollipops and listening to their stories. Mary loved everything about flowers, gardens, plants and arrangements. She loved dogs, especially her own Wiley and Gunther, and her animals who have passed, Daisy and Weezer. Mary loved the beach and being in the sun. She loved the holiday season, whether it was spending time with loved ones or watching Christmas movies at home. She was a woman of strong faith in God and was a parishioner of Holy Family Church in Florham Park. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation held from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 PM at Holy Family Church, 1 Lloyd Avenue, Florham Park.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, 575 Woodland Ave., Madison, NJ 07940 or to The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA  22116-7023