Helen Agatha Cotter Shaw

Helen Agatha Cotter Shaw, age 95, died peacefully on Monday, September 29, 2008 at Waupun Memorial Hospital.

Helen was born June 17, 1913 at Glen Oak, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Ellen Cotter. She helped on the family farm until she graduated from Montello High School. Helen spent the next year at Teachers Normal in Westfield, WI, where she received her teaching certificate and taught that first year at Graham School in Buffalo County. Helen then taught at the Irish School the next three years. She was united in marriage, on her birthday, to Edward V. Shaw June 17, 1939 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Montello. Following the couple’s marriage they moved to Waupun, where Helen taught at Madison and Banner country schools for a few years and retired in 1978 from Amity Elementary after nineteen years of teaching. Helen was a faithful member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church of Waupun.

Helen and Edward were blessed with two sons that survive her, Jim (Tracey) Shaw, Sugarland, TX; and Bill (Joanie) Shaw, Mauston, WI; and by two grandchildren, Katie (Dan) West, Luke Shaw and special friend Jamie Gau, both of Minneapolis, MN; and Ross Malcolm the son of Jim and Tracey Shaw, two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband in 1981, five brothers, a sister, four sisters-in-law and a niece.

The Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 118 W. Main Street, Waupun, with the Rev. Michael Sturm officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waupun. Helen’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

A memorial fund is being established for the Wisconsin Kidney Foundation.

Helen would like to express her appreciation to her special nieces and nephews for their compassion, help and loving care over the past several years. A special thank you to the staff of Friendship Haven, Waupun Memorial Hospital, Hospice Nurses and her many friends for their love and support.