SHAW, ETHEL MAUDE (SAMSON) - The death of Ethel (Sammie) Maude Shaw (nee Sansom), of Moncton, NB, wife of the late Gordon Alexander Shaw, occurred peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2011 at her home, Serenecare. Born in Boiestown NB in 1909, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ellen (Spencer) Sansom. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family of six siblings; Frederick, Bertha, Gerald, J. Spencer and Winifred, and predeceased by her only grandson David Smythe. Sammie lived a full and rewarding life, had many fond memories of growing up on the Miramichi, and residing in Moncton, Boston, Campbellton, Dartmouth NS and Alliston ON where she developed many life-long friendships. She inspired all who knew her. Over the past 60 years, Sammie and Gordon hosted many family reunions and special gatherings at their beloved Cornwall Point cottage in Shediac.
Upon graduation from The Moncton Hospital School of Nursing in 1932, Sammie continued her career in private and general duty nursing/supervision throughout New Brunswick, in Boston MA and obtained a Diploma in Public Health Nursing from Dalhousie University in 1963. Upon her return to Moncton, she supervised the Moncton Chest Clinic until retirement in 1975. Sammie has been a faithful member of St. George’s Church and its various groups since 1929. She was a life member of Frank H. Tingley Chapter, Order of Eastern Star (1936), Alpha Master Chapter Beta Sigma Phi (1956), Soroptimist International, the Moncton Hospital Nurses’ Healthcare Auxiliary, and founding/life member of the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae (1957) and the Retired Nurses Group. She was also an active member of the New Brunswick Lung Association. Sammie is survived by her only child, Susan (Smythe) Plewes of Alliston ON, granddaughter Deborah Smythe (Michael Reichelt) and great-granddaughter Madeleine of Munich Germany, granddaughter Heather Smythe (Richard Win) and great-grandson Edan of Vancouver BC, many loving nieces, nephews and their relatives of both the Sansom and Shaw families.
Visitation is at St. George’s Church Chapel of St. Mary and All Angels (Queen St. Entrance), on Friday, May 27th from 7 to 9PM, Saturday, May 28th from 2 to 4PM and 7 to 9PM. An Eastern Star Memorial Service will be held on Saturday May 28th at 6:45PM and a Beta Sigma Phi ‘In Memoriam’ Service on Sunday, May 29th at 2:15PM in the chapel. The funeral service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, Moncton at 3 PM Sunday, May 29th 2011. The Rev. Chris Van Buskirk will officiate. A reception and Celebration of Sammie’s Life will follow in the church hall. Interment will take place in Fair Haven Cemetery, 1167 Salisbury Rd., on Monday May 30th at 10:30 AM. If desired, donations to the St. George’s Church Memorial Fund, The Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation, or charity of choice appreciated by her family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton NB (506) 858-1995 or email ferkno@nbnet.nb.ca. Online condolences can be made at www.fergusonknowlesfh.com