Kathleen Ann Shaw
Kathleen
A. Shaw passed away June 22, 2011, at Bonner
General Hospital in Sandpoint. A memorial
service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 27,
in the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.Kathy moved with her family to Barstow, California, when she was very young. She lived only one block away from the boy who would one day become her husband. Kathy and I used to ride mini-bikes together in a dirt lot as children, and went to the same schools, and even sat in some of the same class rooms. Jerry also was her paper boy for four years, and even adopted one of the puppies from her favorite dog Missy.
While in high school, Kathy's mother passed away, leaving Kathy the oldest of three siblings with the responsibilities of a mother. To this day, her brothers and sisters looked up to Kathy as their mentor and confidant.
Kathy was married for a short time to William Leverette and gave birth to a boy named Justin. William was not ready for children and the marriage ended, leaving Kathy as a single parent with a new born.
On shore leave, Jerry and Kathy met again at a party on New Years Eve in 1979. They felt a deep connection and married seven months later on July 25, 1980. Jerry and Kathy had two more boys named Curtis and Daniel. Kathy was very proud of all her children and sacrificed everything to give them all that she could.
Kathy worked at Fort Irwin NTC for almost twenty years, gaining the position of manager of a large work force made up primarily of men. She had a unique ability to foster respect and loyalty from all who worked for her and knew her. She talked soft and carried a big stick. People worked for her because they wanted to, with many applicants wanting to transfer into her shop just to get a chance to work for her.
Kathy loved horses, and converted Jerry into a horseman to go on and show Morgan horses in regional and national events. Kathy would just take off at a show and wonder around meeting people and their horses. Someone would ask “Where is Kathy?” and the typical answer is “She's on a walk-about” a term we fondly used to describe her care free nature.
Kathy and Jerry toured most of the 50 states looking for the place they wanted to call home, marking off each one that did not meet their desires. Then they stopped for the night in Coeur D'Alene and fell in love with the Northwest. For the next five years, Kathy would drag realtors through over 100 homes from Coeur D'Alene to Bonners Ferry looking for that perfect spot to call home. The realtor's frustrations and pain finally came to an end when she found our new home in Bonners Ferry. She could have her horses, and enjoy the offerings of this wonderful place. Kathy enjoyed fishing, and by far out fished Jerry. They would go on nature hikes with the dogs, and took in all of it with appreciation for nature.
Kathy endured a lot in her life, and provided for her husband and family with everything she had. She asked for nothing, wanted nothing more than to grow old with Jerry and watch her grand children grow up.
Her life was cut short at an early age of only 54. She will always be remembered by those whose heart she touched.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Jerry; father, William Sheridan; brother, Bill Sheridan; sister, Laura Haverlock; sister, Julie McClure, Valerie Chavarria, Ricky Sheridan
Sons Justin, Curtis, and Daniel, nine grandchildren, two nieces, nine nephews, and six great nephews/nieces.