Lynn Mitchell Shaw

Lynn Shaw passed away on April 1, 2024. She lived her life in the town she loved, surrounded by the things she was most passionate about - family, friends, and books.
Lynn was born on August 31, 1944 to Albert C. Mitchell and Shirley Sweet Mitchell in Rensselaer, New York. Her childhood was spent in Rensselaer until the family moved to Lee, MA in the mid-1950s. As the new kid in town, she quickly fell into step with her classmates, forging lifelong friendships with Debbie, Brooke, Linda, Suzanne and Alba. Lynn was an active student who achieved great academic success. Upon graduating from Lee High School in 1962, she attended Berkshire Community College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, graduating in 1966.  
Continuing her remarkable knack for forging friendships, Lynn attended a knitting workshop in the early 1970s which resulted in a group relationship which was sustained over a remarkable 50-plus years. Sue, Carole, Ann, Denise, Cathy, Diane, Judy, Jane, along with Anna, Bobbi, and Joan formed a sisterhood rooted in shared experiences, support and laughter. While she completed little actual knitting, the endless Wednesday night gatherings brought Lynn priceless companionship, happiness and memories.
An avid reader with an unquenchable thirst for the next good book, Lynn shared her love of reading with others. She was active in Reading Is Fundamental, Reading for the Blind, and the Lee Library Association, serving on the board for decades. The Lee Library was a home away from home as she checked out the next title on her list, prepped for an upcoming puppet show, or chatted with the staff about library happenings.
In the 1990s, Lynn brought her love for books and reading to local youth when she became the librarian at the Stockbridge Plain School. Until 2017, Lynn worked with BHRSD children fostering an appreciation for stories and the importance of reading. She thoroughly enjoyed her time with the elementary school staff and the students whom she loved.
Nothing, however, gave Lynn more joy than time spent with her family. She was blessed with a wonderful childhood, living in a little house on Bradley Street full of siblings, antics, lots of laughter and parental love. Reflecting on those days was a source of great enjoyment which Lynn loved sharing with others. Lynn was married to M. James Shaw on June 11, 1966 at St. Helena’s Chapel in Lenox. Together, they raised their three children and lived in their one of a kind home on Church Street until Jim’s death in 1998. Throughout her life, Lynn provided her family with an environment full of wit, affection, curiosity, top 40 music, and of course, books.  She was a wonderful mother, consistently focused on providing her children with the support and tools essential to their well-being. 
Lynn will be missed by all for many reasons, but her family will especially miss her laughter, encouragement, oatmeal cookies, sunglasses at the dinner table, dancing in the kitchen and reminding us that the best place to be is home with family, preferably in Lee.
Predeceased by her parents and her husband, she is survived by her son, Joshua Shaw and his wife Christine of La Canada Flintridge, CA; daughters Kate Olender and her husband Richard of Lee; and Amy Shaw of Lenox. Also, Lynn leaves her grandchildren; Andrew and William Consolati, Elizabeth Consolati Kinnaman and her husband Caleb, Jack and Tess Olender, Everett, Callan, and Arden Shaw, as well as a great-grandchild, Thomas Kinnaman.  Lynn leaves numerous nieces and nephews in addition to her siblings, Albert “Bud” Mitchell and wife Leslie of Austin, Texas; Terry Green of Lee; Jack Mitchell and his wife Sue of Franklin, Tennessee; and Kim Gibson and her husband Dale of Cocoa Beach, Florida. In addition to her friends mentioned previously, she leaves cherished friends Gordon and Jane Bailey, and Thomas Consolati.
Services for Lynn will be held on Tuesday, April 9th, 11AM at St. Helena’s Chapel in Lenox, MA, with Rev. Michael Tuck, officiating. The family will receive visitors at the chapel from 10AM until the service. A light reception will follow in the parish hall. Private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Checks to Dana Farber may be mailed in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.
If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net