(Paid obituary)
(Courtesy photograph)
Jessie R. (Booth) Shaw, 99, passed away peacefully with loving family at her side on September 9, 2019 at Wingate Residences at Haverhill, MA. She was born on December 31, 1919 to John R. and Elsie (Haseltine) Booth. Jessie attended local schools and was a 1937 graduate of Haverhill High School. She attended the MacIntosh Business School in Haverhill and was a legal secretary for Gardner and Gove Law Offices for 25 years.
As many who were a product of the Great Depression, Jessie was cut of a special cloth defined by hard work, stoic endurance, thrift and an appreciation for the basics of life. While family always came first, Jessie was actively involved in civic organizations such as City Club, Rotary Anns, and the former Haverhill Day Care Center.
Following her marriage in 1939 to the late Wesley J. Shaw, Jr., they became members of the Winter Street Baptist Church. They joined the First Baptist Church in 1950 where they developed life-long friendships and became founding members of the “Otsago” group which brought great fulfilment to the whole family. She was an active participant at her church in the Mary Martha group, Christian education program and served as a Deaconess.
Jessie was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Wesley J. Shaw Jr., a well-respected, local funeral director, to whom Jessie gave unconditional love and support with the demands of the funeral business; brother, Lt. Col. John E. Booth. She leaves behind two sons and daughters-in-law, Wesley J. Shaw, III and Mary K. of St. Albans, W.V.; David E. Shaw and Ann B. of Haverhill; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah L. Lajeskie and Charles J. of Northfield, N.H.; seven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; one great, great grandson; sister-in-law, Virginia (Getchell) Booth, Fort Myers, FL and Surry, ME.; and several loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday, September 13th from 4-8 PM at Dole, Childs and Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. The funeral will be Saturday, 12 noon, September 14th at First Baptist Church, 217 Main St., Haverhill. Interment to follow at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.
Donations in Jessie’s memory may be made to: Trustees of the First Baptist Church, 217 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830.
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to www.dcsfuneralhome.com