Patricia S. (Flanders) Shaw

August 21, 1935 - February 10, 2021

Harvard: Patricia S. (Flanders) Shaw, 85 passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at The Apple Valley Center in Ayer surrounded by the love of her family. Her husband, the love of her life and dance partner of 50 years, Joseph B. “J.B.” Shaw, died in February 2008. Pat was born in Lowell, August 21, 1935, a daughter of the late Sheldon and Anna (Prowker) Flanders and grew up in Tyngsboro. She was a graduate of Lowell High School and continued her education at a Lowell business college. While J.B. served in the US Air Force, Pat traveled extensively throughout Europe before returning home and settling in a home in Harvard built on family land on Cruft Lane, where she has resided for nearly 60 years. Pat was bookkeeper for J.B's construction company and a dedicated full time mom to their three children. There were many adventures that her kids and grandchildren dreamed up that she participated in wholeheartedly. Pat was an amazing cook and gladly gathered her large and extended family around the table for most major holidays and birthday events. After her children moved into their own lives and careers, Pat and Joe resumed their shared passion for travel and spending time with many good friends square dancing, ballroom dancing and round dancing throughout the New England region, the rest of the continental United States, Germany, Hawaii and Canada. Pat traveled with J.B. to tractor and engine shows where he showed off his collection of antique tractors and "one-lungers" to many admiring fans, thereby adding greatly to their circle of friends. In later years, Pat was very active in the Harvard Garden Club, participating in many garden tours and the annual plant sale on Harvard Common and earned the lifelong membership award. Pat worked alongside Grace Cummings for many years transplanting seedlings to ready the plants for the sale. She also planted and maintained the flowers at the Harvard fire station and the watering trough. For many years Pat also assisted Dorothy Andrews and Bob Reed in the documenting, measuring and cataloging some of the great giant and ancient living trees of Harvard. Pat enjoyed memberships in the Harvard Historical Society and was a member of Saint Theresa's Church. The Harvard COA offered another challenge for Pat and as a member she helped prepare and serve the weekly meals to participating seniors for many years. In 2017 Pat moved to the Rivercourt Residences in Groton and enjoyed the company of many old Harvard & Groton friends as well as making many new friends. She leaves behind her three children, Kathy Shaw and her husband Joe Gray of Auburn Maine, Joseph Anthony “Tony” Shaw and his wife Lisa (Folkins) Shaw of Harvard and Laurel Shaw of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Pat was also blessed with 5 grandchildren, Mark, Walter and Karen Shaw, Michael and Steven Russo and two great grandchildren Adeline and Jasper Russo. Funeral services will be held privately. Pat will be interred at Bellevue Cemetery in Harvard. The Shaw family would like to gratefully thank the staff at River Court and Apple Valley for their thoughtful care and kindness during the past 3 years. They enriched her life and our life in more ways than words can relay. Please consider planting a perennial in a location of your choice in her memory. The Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road is assisting the family with arrangements. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information or to leave an online condolence. A Livestream and Recording of Patricia's Funeral Service will be available to view on Thursday at the link below: https://my.gather.app/remember/patricia-shaw http://video.mbdkeepsakes.com/video/513162867