SOUTH PORTLAND – Judith G. Shaw, 58, a resident of 26 Landry Village, died Friday, Dec. 17, at Mercy Hospital in Portland of acute complications following many years of chronic illness and pain.

She was born in Manchester, N.H., on July 20, 1946, the daughter of the late Elwood B. Shaw, of Naples, and Carmella P. Shaw, currently of South Portland.

She attended Naples Grammar School and graduated from Bridgton High School, Class of 1964. After graduation, she attended Plus School of Business. Following this, Judy was employed as a manager of several travel agencies for a number of years.

She had a natural talent as a hairdresser, and was encouraged to pursue her talent. As a result, she attended Headhunter’s School of Beauty in Portland. She graduated, and began a longtime career as a cosmetologist.

After years of debilitating illnesses, she had to reduce the physical demands of this career and perform her services part-time. In conjunction with this, Judy pursued a position with the State of Maine at Southern Maine Technical College, where she managed the Coffee Shop for approximately 17 years before retiring secondary to her disabilities.

She embraced her loving relationship as guardian to her niece, Debbie Shaw. Through this relationship, Judy became a very strong advocate for all “special needs” individuals. She devoted many years to advocating and fighting for the rights and resources deserved by the disabled and “special needs” community.

She was equally passionate about the needs of the elderly; devoting many hours of her time going to nursing homes in the Portland area to help them with their hairdressing needs, or to go shopping for them when many of the elderly did not have families to take care of these needs for them. Even in later years, when she herself was greatly disabled, Judy thought of other people’s needs before her own and would transport elderly friends to their doctors’ appointments, and loved every minute of it.

She was also a strong animal rights advocate. She spent 18 years rescuing cats that were abandoned at the shipyard in South Portland. She would rescue the cats, take them to her veterinarian for immunizations, spaying or neutering, and then interviewing for homes that believed in keeping their cats indoors. Judy received a public service award for her actions with the protection of animals as well.

Judy was a kind, caring, loving individual who epitomized the definition of humanitarianism.

She is survived by her mother, Carmella Phyllis DiGennaro Shaw, of South Portland; two brothers, Richard Thomas Shaw of South Paris, and Robert Curtis Shaw of Danville; a sister, Dr. Susan Shaw of Saco; her beloved niece, Debra Shaw, of South Portland; two nephews, Dr. Steven S. Shaw of Portland, and Michael J. Shaw of Naples; two sisters-in-law, Carla and Marilee Shaw; two grand-nieces, Arissa and Assena; and one grand-nephew, Wayne.

She was predeceased by her father, Elwood Barton Shaw, who died May 12, 1986.