Henrietta Shaw Obituary

Shaw, Henrietta B.

Beloved mother, grandmother, Henrietta B. Shaw departed this life on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Henrietta, also known as "Penny," to her close family and friends, the daughter of Mattie Lou Phillips and Reverend Alex W. Bussey, Sr., was born in Edgefield, South Carolina on May 4, 1942.

As a toddler, she and her brothers and sister moved to Washington D.C. Henrietta graduated from Spingarn Senior High School in 1959. As a determined student, she traveled an hour and a half roundtrip to American University, graduating with high honors in mathematics in 1963.

Henrietta worked at the National Security Agency for seven years where she met the love of her life, Jim Shaw, who was in the United States Army. The couple married in 1969 and moved to Chicago. Henrietta worked as a computer programmer in the Astrophysics and Space Research Lab at the University of Chicago but left the position when she gave birth to her only child, Kevin, in 1973.

Balancing work and family life, Henrietta became a certified public accountant, and built a career with the United States Railroad Retirement Board, where she worked for more than 25 years, rising to the title of Assistant Inspector General for U.S. Audit.

In her spare time, Henrietta enjoyed the sport of bowling, rolling strikes with ease and winning plenty of trophies in competitive city leagues. She loved to crochet and knit. Following in the footsteps of her mother, she was an avid baker, making delicious cakes, cookies and other sweets for her family. Henrietta enjoyed taking cruises and traveling overseas with her family, visiting memorable destinations in Europe, Japan and Hawaii. She was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church in the Chatham Chicago neighborhood for many decades. In her twilight years, she and Jim became square, line and round dance aficionados, cutting a country-rug with the best of them.

In 2006, Henrietta entered a new stage of her life, grandparent. Although they tired her out quite a bit, she reveled in the joyous laughter of her two grandchildren C.J. and Camryn. The kids affectionately nicknamed her "Me Mom."

Celebrating her life, while mourning her death, are her devoted son, Kevin, daughter-in-law, Cristine, grandchildren C.J. and Camryn, sister Naomi, brothers Alex and Ronald, several nieces and nephews, many other relatives and a host of friends. She was predeceased by both parents, husband Jim and brothers Marron, Leon, Charles and Gilbert.

Henrietta's smile, quiet, loving nature and humble personality will be missed by all who knew her.

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