Obituary of Mary Dearden Shaw

Mary Dearden Shaw, (Mardy) 92, of State College, died on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Foxdale Village, State College, PA. She was born in Philadelphia to Henry and Marion (Craig) Dearden. Her husband of 66 years, Mark Shaw died in 2016. She is survived by five children, Karen Snare of Verbank, NY; Betsy Wells (Tony) of Fairport, N.Y; Craig Shaw (Eileen O'Connor) of Seattle, WA; Jennifer Nikel (Andrew) of West Caldwell, N.J; and Richard Shaw (Patricia Milford) of Pittsburgh PA; six grandchildren, Chris Wells, Doug Wells (Wendi), Kate Snare, Eric Snare (Jazmine Carroll) Benjamin Nikel, Peter Nikel and two great grandchildren, Hagen and Parker Wells. She was also predeceased by her sister Kathleen Bahnsen, and a grandson, Carl Snare. She graduated from Germantown Friends School '43 and Earlham College'47. After graduating from college, she joined her fiancé in China, where they were married, and then spent two more years in China working with the American Friends Service Committee. She spent four years in Pune, India, where Mark worked with a USAID Team from Penn State. While in India she did volunteer work with a local orphanage. Back in Pennsylvania, Mardy taught at schools in the State College Area School District and Bald Eagle Area School District as a classroom teacher and as a reading specialist Mardy was a member of State College (PA) Friends Meeting for 66 years. She was very involved with the founding of the State College Friends School and served on its Board of Directors. She also was a board member at Foxdale, and was active on various committees. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Foxdale Village, 500 East Marylyn Ave, State College, PA 16801. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the caring staff at Foxdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Face Book.