Karen Holm Shaw
Date de décès : 9 janvier 2009
86, New Waterford Karen Holm Shaw, 86, of MacLeod Avenue, formerly known as Maple Hill, where she was raised, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 9, 2009. Born in New Waterford, she was a daughter of the late Hans and Petrine (Pedersen) Holm. Karen was born on Wood Avenue in 1922. At the age of eight her family moved to 'Maple Hill.' She began her musical career at the tender age of four. Her older brother Gordon taught her to play piano, accordion, mandolin and banjo. Later, with her sister Gloria, she learned to tap dance as a pupil of Doris MacDonald. In her early 20s, Karen again followed her brother into the Canadian Army and was stationed in numerous locations. After the Second World War she served overseas, during the occupation of Germany, as a police woman at Nazi trials. While overseas, Karen met Stewart B. Shaw who later became her husband. Married in 1946, the couple moved to the town of Arnprior, in the Ottawa Valley where they resided for nine years. During daylight hours they owned and operated Mainview Photo Studio. Karen also became a member of the well-known orchestra, 'Mac Beattie and the Ottawa Valley Melodiers,' and performed several times a week at various venues including CFRA Radio. Somewhere between photography and music she also found time to be Girl Guide commissioner. Karen returned to her hometown of New Waterford in 1956 with baby, Elizabeth (Betty). She continued her careers in photography and music, managing Meyer's Photo Studio in Glace Bay and performing in variety shows and on radio and television with well-known local musicians. Mom was an honorary lifetime member of Cape Breton Professional Musicians Association Local No. 355 and was a longtime member of the Everett Cann Orchestra. Mom really enjoyed working and 'playing' in her numerous flower beds and had a real love for the many birds that she fed year round. Being a very spiritual person, Mom had deep respect for God and His written Word, the Bible. After several years of Bible study she was happy to become a baptized member of the Glace Bay Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. From 1972 until her passing she always thought it a privilege to share her knowledge of the Bible and her hope for the future with friends and neighbours. James 4:8 is an appropriate scripture to describe her relationship with Jehovah God. "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you . . ." Surviving are daughter, Elizabeth 'Betty' (Joel) Young, Reserve Mines; stepson, Shane (Marlene) Tourangeau, Carp, Ont., Ottawa Valley; brother-in-law, Albert 'Blackie' Digero, New Waterford; several nieces and nephews. Karen was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by brothers, Urban 'Dick' and Gordon, sisters, Carola, Tove, Thekla and Gloria. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Reserve Street, Glace Bay with Richard Volkes officiating. A reception will follow at the Kingdom Hall. Interment will be in Union Grove Cemetery, Scotchtown, at a later date. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
