Marion Louise Johnston Shaw died on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the age of 85 after enduring a decade plus battle with dementia. Marion was a one-of-a-kind mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Over the course of her life, Marion, most affectionately known as Murn, enjoyed gardening, sewing, shopping, dining out, bling, Yahtzee, Dilly Bars, an ice-cold Coke, yes – the Chippendales, and more. ‘Merry Everything and Happy Always’ became her mantra as she was always ready to celebrate! She was always sure to have enough for everyone to eat at family gatherings, corsages for all at Easter, and even enjoyed car shows, fishing, frogging, & fun-in-the-mud! She served as a shuttle service for her daughter and friends – bringing food to cheerleading practice, providing rides to and from dance, baton & Girl Scouts, and would even provide rides to an occasional football player or two. Her longest tenured role was serving as a home-maker and Mom with other side gigs in payroll processing, sales (Avon & Longaberger Baskets), and real-estate. In most recent years, she enjoyed time spent with her daughter, Laura, singing songs, twirling in the Broda chair, watching music videos, and simply talking through life happenings as well as her ‘bestie’, Teddy, as they listened to audio books, enjoyed Big Bang Theory, Cardinals baseball, or verbally jousting in the hallways at Festus Manor.
Marion was strong-willed, a bit stubborn, and wanted it all! Even more, she pushed her daughter, Laura, to experience life. Her encouragement to ‘get on that bus’, ‘not miss out’, ‘go places & see stuff’, ‘enjoy it for what is – or, even for what it was while you had it’ proved to be priceless. Sure, there were times ‘no, not this time’ was used; but, at the time, one doesn’t realize how hard it is to say ‘no’ to someone you love. ‘Mom Love’ is ‘Strong Love’. It is so strong that it transcends time, memories, distance – and, Heaven and Earth. The joys of the journey are many yet there are tears, pains of loss to remind you how important it is to live and savor the moments that matter.
Marion was a survivor with a will-to-live beyond measure. She survived COVID not once but three times. According to her health care team, she ‘failed hospice’ after surviving (and many times thriving) 3 ½ years of end-of-life care. She was appreciative of the team who, around the clock, assisted her with daily life activities – to which her family is also most grateful.
She is survived by her daughter & son-in-love, Laura Ella (Shaw) and Greg Asher; the sexiest man alive (former husband), Donald Glen Shaw & his ‘new wife’, Gloria Sewald Shaw; grandsons and their loves; Aaron and Lauren (Quigg) Asher & Evan and Melanie (Metherd) Asher; and great-grandchildren Ronen, Elsie, and Frances as well as many family, friends, and caregivers.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William Clifford Johnston; father, William Clifford Johnston; stepfather, Walter Owen Richards; mother, Cecelia Anne (Jesionowski) Johnston Richards; grandson, Ian Gregory Asher; great-granddaughter, Lucy Jane Asher; and, many family & friends. Together again, may they each Rest In Peace.
Funeral visitation and service hosted by Kutis Funeral Home; 5255 Lemay Ferry Road; St. Louis, MO 63129. Visitation is on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 3 p.m. for family and 4 p.m. for public with funeral service on Thursday, May 11, 2023, 11 a.m. There is no official procession to the cemetary. Committal service begins promptly at 1:30 p.m. at Hillview Memorial Gardens; 5229 Westmeyer Road; Farmington, MO 63640.
Flowers or memoirs always welcome; however, you may elect to help #endalz instead by donating to our Walk to End Alzheimer’s Memories of Murn Team Page as we will walk in her memory on October 28, 2023. For 24/7 dementia-related Helpline Assistance, call 1.800.272.3900. Thank you for loving my Mom and supporting our family as we celebrate her life! And, in closing, in the words of Murn…
“Enjoy. Live. Laugh. And, love no matter what kind of mother you are!”