Thelma C. Shaw

[ Originally published on: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 ]

SHELBURNE -- Thelma C. (Crapser) Shaw, 99, formerly of Bridge Street, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at the Anchorage Nursing Home.

She was born in West Taghkanic, N.Y., on Nov. 14, 1909, the daughter of Hudson and Minnie (Coons) Crapser. She lived in Elmhurst, Long Island, her first 12 years and then the family moved to Rhinebeck, N.Y., where she continued her education graduating from Rhinebeck High School in 1927.

She entered Pine Plains, N.Y., ''Teachers Training Class'' in 1928, and taught in a one- room schoolhouse. She went on to graduate from Oneonta Normal School in 1931. She taught in Baldwin, Long Island, Conway, and Shelburne.

Thelma was married to Linwood E. Rowland on Aug. 7, 1931 and had 44 years of happiness until he died March 11, 1975.

Thelma loved to travel and toured all the continents except Antarctica. She also went on several cruises in the Caribbean with her family. She loved to sing and was heard on WHAI in ''Singers and Songs'' from the old Mansion House. She also sang in quartets and choirs in the Methodist, Second Congregational and All Souls churches in Greenfield, as well as the Methodist and Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls.

Thelma was married to Parker R. Shaw on March 24, 1978. They lived in Shelburne Falls during the summer and Sebring, Fla., in the winters. In Florida they enjoyed playing bridge and were proud to have won ''Master of Contract Bridge,'' They also traveled to the Holy Land and Egypt. Parker died on Feb. 16, 1988.

She was a 50-year member of Mary Lyon Chapter No. 70 Order of the Eastern Star and then Arcana Chapter No. 50 of Greenfield.

Thelma was the holder of the Golden Post Cane, as Shelburne's oldest resident.

She was an avid Red Sox fan.

Survivors include three sons, Linwood E. Rowland Jr. and his wife Sandra of Colrain, Bruce T. Rowland and his wife Linda of Charlemont and Robert R. Rowland and his wife Helen ''Polly'' of Goodyear, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Steven, Michael, Christopher, Richard, Brian, Trevor, David Rowland and Kathleen Ryan; 10 great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Sean Ryan, Tanya Almstead, Tyler Rowland, Courtney and Jordan Rowland, Jason Martin, Hailey, Taylor, Joseph, Benjamin and Rachel Rowland; five step-grandsons, Ray and Richard Dodge, Dan, Douglas and James Berthiaume, step- great-grandchildren, Jason and Chris Cullen, Jessica, Kevin, Amanda, Justin and Zachary Berthiaume, Sam Dodge, Penny Gambino and several nieces and nephews.

A daughter, Kathryn Louise Rowland, predeceased her on June 6, 1949.

A graveside service will take place Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Arms Cemetery, Shelburne Falls.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested memorial contributions be made to either Trinity Church, P.O. Box 96, Shelburne Falls or Anchorage Nursing Home Resident Fund, 904 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne, MA 01370.

Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home of Shelburne Falls is in charge of arrangements.

 

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