AUBURN – Marilyn “Mim” Waite Shaw, 85, of Turner, received her Angel wings April 22, 2024, at The Androscoggin Hospice House, Auburn, with her family by her side. She was born March 4, 1939, in Leeds to Stanley E. Waite and Hilda (Lishness) Waite.

She attended school in Leeds at a one room schoolhouse, with her Aunt Alice as her teacher. According to Mim, stepping out of line would earn a whack on the knuckles with a ruler. One of her favorite days was May Day. Students would present a May basket full of goodies to the teacher and climb Monument Hill where they would have a picnic with all the kids at school.

She was a 1957 graduate from Leavitt Institute. She married Rodney Shaw in El Paso, Texas on August 9, 1957. He was stationed at Fort Bliss. She met her maid of honor as she got off the plane, as no family members from Rod’s or her family could attend. They moved from Texas to Richmond, Va., then returned to Maine in the winter of 1971, one of the biggest snowfall years in Maine. It took four days for the truck to make it up Harris Hill Road in Poland to deliver all their belongings to their new home. After two years in Poland, they made their way home, building a house on family land in Turner. Together they built a home where everyone was always welcome. If you needed a place to stay for a few days or were looking for good company, their place was always open. They were famous for their garage parties.

Mim, in her youth, worked at Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park, and said it was a wonderful way to spend a summer. She was a skilled seamstress, and crafter. While in high school, she won a 4-H competition for original dress designs and traveled to the national competition. She spent many joyful afternoons with her “Stitch and Bitch” crew. Her hands were always busy working on a quilt, sweater, blanket, tablecloth or altering clothes for friends and family. She was known around Turner for her baking skills. She made and decorated wedding cakes and Christmas was not Christmas without her carrot cakes.

Some of Mim and Rod’s happiest, most wonderful times were spent making memories at their camp at Northeast Carry with family and friends. They would fish the river and streams, boat around Moosehead Lake, play Mexican Train and cribbage. She was a fierce cribbage opponent, and she ALWAYS had an ace. She continued to make the trip North a few more times after Rod’s passing, but she would be flown aboard Nancy and Harry’s seaplane. It was her favorite way to get to camp.

She was a great sports fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Black Bears, but mostly of her children and grandchildren. Mim would travel across Maine to watch her family compete. She was Treasurer of the Leavitt Sports Family, Clerk of Leavitt Trustees, and the Maple Grove Cemetery. She worked at CW Hayden, Town of Turner, Apple Ridge Farms, Ricker Hill Orchards, Angell Cove Cottages, and Dr. Pussum’s Cat Nip. She enjoyed dinners at the Chuck Wagon and Turner Highlands where she would see friends and family. The night always ended with a game of cards.

She loved being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She traveled to Florida with her sister and stayed in contact with many of the friends she and Rod made while they were living out of state. Her best friends Rose and John will miss her phones calls they made to each other for annual family updates. Mim gave great advice but only when asked. Mim was very independent and lived in their home for the rest of her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Rodney, parents, siblings Clinton, David, and Geraldine Waite.

She is survived by sister Barbara Angell and brother-in-law, Joe Shaw (Linda); sons Kenny (Darcy) Shaw, David (Julie Ann) Shaw, daughter Nancy (Harry) Ricker; grandchildren Andy (Megan), Kendall (Alicia), and Sam (Tomi Marie) Ricker, Morgan (Ryan) Hanc, Emily (Taylor) Py, Savannah Shaw, Donovan Shaw. Great grandchildren Thomas, James, Spencer, Charli Kay, Kylie, Hazel, Sammie, Jessie and Natalie; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held later this summer at Maple Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mim’s memory to:

Maple Grove Cemetery

PO Box 62

Turner, ME 04282

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