Frances Wallin (Wallin) Shaw

Frances Wallin Shaw died peacefully at home. Born in East Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of Agnes (Bowen) Sarles Wallin and Franklin Whittlesey Wallin.

Until the age of 11, Frannie lived on Wallinwood Farm in Jenison. She moved with her family to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she attended George School (high school) and received a B.A. in psychology from Swarthmore College. Both schools are associated with the Society of Friends (Quakers) and Frannie attributed her lifelong interests in helping others and environmental responsibility to their influence.  She married Robert J. Shaw in January 1943 and they moved to Michigan after he was discharged from the Navy. When Bob finished law school at the University of Michigan they relocated to western Michigan, eventually settling in Grandville, where their four children were raised.

Frannie’s abiding interests in psychology, child development, learning for all ages and preserving the natural environment were evident in her many professional accomplishments as a social worker for preschool children and wide-ranging lifelong volunteer activities involving human services and the environment.  She and Bob retired to Florida for 18 years before returning to western Michigan to be close to family, friends, and the landscape she loved.

Frannie’s husband Bob and son David preceded her in death. She is survived by Debora Shaw and Charles Davis of Bloomington, IN, Catherine Shaw and Evans Young of Ann Arbor, Donna Shaw of Grand Rapids, and Barbara (Nigel) Shaw and Curtis Woodcock of Jamaica Plain, MA. Frannie enjoyed her grandchildren and their spouses: Georgianna Diane Thome Shaw, Robert Wallin Young and Alisha Young, Joslyn Sarles Hunscher-Young and Brian Hunscher, Cleo Frances Woodcock, and Owen George Woodcock; and great grandchildren Finnegan Shaw, Emily Young, Nathan Young, Anne Hunscher, and Elizabeth Hunscher.

Frannie’s family is grateful to the many Wilderness neighbors whose friendship and support contributed to her enjoyment of the family cottage and to the caregivers who provided loving care at the end of her life.

A memorial service for Frannie will be held in the spring. To honor her love of nature and her appreciation for ideas and community, the family suggests that contributions in her memory be made to the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WEMAC, 1007 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506) or Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503).

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