Mary Anne Shaw

Mary Anne “Sam” Shaw was born February 27, 1932 in Tampa, Florida to Major Thomas Byrd Sparkman and Christine Whidden. She grew up in Tampa, Florida and earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1955 from the University of Florida, and Teaching Credentials in 1975 from California State University Northridge. She married Dale Jean Shaw in August, 1956 in Tampa, Florida, who preceded her death in 1979.


She is survived by the following family members: Three sons – Thomas Byrd Shaw, 51, of Chandler, Arizona; Casey Kevin Shaw, 49, of Portland, Oregon; Liam Kelly Shaw, 47, of Mesa, Arizona. Three daughters-in-law – Michelle Monique Shaw, 45, of Chandler, Arizona; Melissa Dee Hoffen Shaw, 49, of Palmdale, California; Julie Ann Shaw, 52, of Mesa, Arizona. Eight grandchildren – Mercedes Anne Shaw, 24, of Portland, Oregon; Sasha Hill, 19, of Chandler, Arizona; Alex Michael Shaw, 19, of Palmdale, California; Michael Duane Lamb, 17, of Mesa, Arizona; Ronni Nicole Shaw, 16, of Palmdale, California; Jessica Mae Shaw, 9, of Mesa, Arizona; Riley Jean Shaw, 8, of Chandler, Arizona; and Naomi Joy Shaw, 5, of Chandler, Arizona.


Sam was a school teacher for 28 years, her passion was education, technology, and the arts. Please join us in a celebration of her life on Friday, May 27th, 2016, 11:00 a.m., Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funerals & Cremations.