Obituary of Joy Shaw

Estella “Joy” Shaw was born in South Ohio, NS, to Dorothy (Porter) and Lloyd Moses on December 26, 1935. She was aptly named for a babe who entered the world at the start of the Christmas season, as she quite literally brought “Joy” to the world. There is also a quiet symmetry to be found in the realization that she left the world at the end of the Christmas season. The Epiphany, or the day celebrating the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem, is the very day our “Star” (Estella) went home to be forever wrapped in the light and love of her Lord on January 6, 2022. After sixty-six years of marriage to the love of her life, she passed peacefully in her sleep with David next to her. They had been together since meeting at a Sunday School picnic when she was just 14. It is hard to imagine one without the other. Joy was ahead of her time in many respects. She was an avid recycler before it was considered mainstream. Always insightful, she wrote of global warming and in celebration of Earth Day decades before the world followed suit. Her collection of writings, pieced together on the backs of old envelopes or labels removed from cans, gives us a treasured look into her creative and conservationist mind. She also had a keen sense of family responsibility. She worked various jobs over the years to support her family in partnership with David. Each took turns caring for the children as the other furthered their careers. David in the ministry. Joy as a CNA. She was very resourceful and took great pride in her ability to reuse and repurpose items to help stretch the family dollar. Many of these things took more effort and ingenuity than were apparent at first glance. A parka made solely from discarded items of clothing. Or an elaborate “Joy to the World” Christmas morning display pieced together from newspapers and scraps of paper collected from years past. If they did not garner the praise she deserved then, they certainly do now. As a pastor’s wife, Joy did not always conform to the stereotype. Housekeeping and cooking may not have been her forte, but compassion and a willingness to share her life experience to help others certainly were. She was able to translate the struggles she faced in her younger years, and in her own life, into a shared ministry with David. A beloved part of that ministry was the fellowship of music, especially with their friends in the choir at Riverdale Baptist Church. Joy was much loved in her church community for who she was. It is a community that stretches from the Yukon to Nova Scotia. Perhaps the experience that most exemplified her strength and resiliency was her battle with Parkinson’s. For years, she defied the odds. She refused to give up her desire to move and be active. The images of her pushing her walker across the beach, or doing laps around the house are not ones we will ever forget. She was a shining example of what can still be accomplished if the will is strong. It is a lesson we are all blessed to have been given. Joy is survived by her husband, David; sister, Fay (Alan); sister-in-law, Karlene (Walter); brother-in-law, Ed (Elaine); aunt, Ann (dec. George); children, Mark (Sheila), Kathie, Jane, Darrell, and Susan (Darren). She is Grandma, Nanny, Grammie, Great-Grandma, and Aunt to a large clan of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. “Joyous”, as named by her honorary grandson, also leaves behind many other friends and family who will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents; in-laws, Karl and Katherine Shaw; aunts, Hazel and Ginnie (dec. Howard); niece, Janice; brother-in-law, Bill; son-in-law, Wing; and her grandson, Daniel. Due to Covid regulations and the wishes of her husband, there will be no public viewing or funeral at this time. There will be a private family committal on January 24, 2022. Plans for a Memorial Celebration of her life in the spring or summer will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honour may be made to: Parkinson's Nova Scotia: https://www.parkinsonsocietynovascotia.com/donate/ The Christian Children's Fund of Canada, now known as Childfund International: https://www.childfund.org/Ways-To-Donate/ Canadian Wildlife Federation: https://secure2.convio.net/cwf/site/SPageNavigator/donate_foundation.html?src=menu The family would like to thank Dr. Targett, Matthew Jollymore, and the entire staff of Blomidon Court for their care and loving support of Joy in the last years of her life. David and Joy came to think of themselves as somewhat surrogate parents to many of the staff, and David has been overwhelmed by the groundswell of support he has received in these days following her passing. This same relationship could also be said of many of the VON who previously cared for her and enabled her to stay at home as long as she could, and for that we extend our heartfelt thanks. It is with shock and disbelief that we must now lay her to rest. We had begun to believe she would live forever...perhaps she will. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca In The Garden And he walks with me And he talks with me And he tells me I am his own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known Tarry well Mom ❤️