Ruth Shaw

Ruth Shaw passed away peacefully August 23, 2024, at the age of 97. Born in Starbuck, MN on October 9th, 1926, to Edward S Olson and Agnes (Nordstrom) Olson, she graduated from Starbuck High School and the University of Minnesota. She met her husband, David Morris Shaw, after moving to California. Returning to Minnesota, David attended graduate school. They moved to Alabama, where David taught while completing his graduate degrees before taking a faculty position at Duke University, in Durham N.C. Two years later, in 1960, David died in an auto accident, after which Ruth remained in Durham, where she raised their two daughters. Duke University generously provided faculty survivor benefits, including tuition benefits, to the family.

Ruth worked for decades at Allenton Realty, where she found many great friends. Continuing to work into her eighties, she handled trust accounts with her signature efficiency and accuracy. Ruth was very active in local, state, and national Democratic politics, particularly the voting rights movement of the 1960’s. To that effort, she pursued two lawsuits, including one that was heard by the Supreme Court in the early 1990’s, Shaw v Reno. Ruth was proud to serve as Chair of the Durham County Board of Elections, registering as many eligible voters as she could and ensuring election laws were followed.

Ruth had a love of school reunions, cross country car trips, Duke basketball, and standard poodles (always being willing to rescue one that needed help). She had a wonderful sense of fun and adventure. She went to all sorts of events: plays, concerts, the circus, the State Fair. She would put her daughters (and later her poodles) in the car and set off for someplace fun. Notably, she and her girls sailed to Norway for a year in 1972. They traveled around Europe, even visiting Russia as tourists and stopping by to see Lenin. With a talent for making close connections, Ruth never lacked for friends. She was the last survivor of her high school Round Robin letter-writing group (the Facebook of its day). Up until the end, she heard regularly from many friends that she made throughout her life. Ruth was very grateful for the wonderful neighbors, friends, co-workers, and classmates who have shown such kindness over the years.

Besides her husband, David, she was predeceased by her parents and her brother Thomas Olson. She is survived by her daughters: (Catherine) Millicent Lewis (Hal Lewis) and Kari Shaw (Declan Quinn), four grandchildren: David Lewis (Francesca Moore), Caroline Lewis, Connor Quinn and Tiernan Quinn, and two great grandchildren: Julian Lewis and Lillian Moore.

No services are planned, but there will be a graveside ceremony in Starbuck in 2025. That is where her husband, parents, brother, ancestors, and many friends are buried. It is a beautiful rural setting, overlooking a Minnesota lake.