Mary Colleen (Dowdy) Shaw, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 10:45 am. Following a lengthy illness, she died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. She was born on May 4, 1928 in Miller City, IL to Otis and Freda (Willis) Dowdy.

Colleen graduated from Olive Branch High School, in 1946. She eventually moved to Jerseyville in search of employment. Shortly thereafter, she met Harold “Butch” Shaw, whom she married on May 15, 1949. They shared 46 years of marriage before his death on May 6, 1995.

Colleen was a member of Delhi Baptist Church for over 50 years and served for several years as the treasurer of the Dorcas Missionary Society and as the “cookie lady” for Vacation Bible School. She loved her church and church family very much. Most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During the course of her life, Colleen was employed in various occupations. She was a cook/waitress at several local restaurants, a babysitter, a shoe factory worker, an employee of Olin Corp., and a cab driver for the Jerseyville Taxi Service, which she and Harold owned and operated in the late 1960’s. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. 

Colleen is survived by her three children, David Shaw, Deborah Shaw, and Carol Holub, all of Jerseyville; two grandchildren, Christopher Shaw and Marcy Holub, also of Jerseyville; one sister, Janice Stevens of Katy, TX; two former sisters-in-law, Cuba Payne and Jane Pascal; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a former son-in-law, Marty Holub, four grandchildren; one sister, Donna (Jerry) McKee, and six brothers, Norman (Juanita), Lloyd (Dorothy), Dean, Larry (Betty), Marvin, Keith (Linda) and a brother-in-law, Fred Stevens.

Visitation will be held at Delhi Baptist Church in Jerseyville, IL from 4:00 - 8:00 pm on Friday, April 1, 2022 and the funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 2, 2022. The church will be open at 9:30 am for further visitation.

Pastors David Ice and Ron Phillips will officiate. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Delhi Baptist Church or to the family.