Born April 5, 1945, in Ringgold, Louisiana, to Howard C. and Laura Alice Shaw, she was raised in Jamestown -- 5 miles from Ringgold -- and attended schools in both places, graduating from Ringgold High in 1963.
She attended Louisiana College and LSU-Shreveport, and worked a variety of jobs for many years. Her most enjoyable venture was as an antiques and collectibles dealer for a decade.
She married twice, the second time to Nico Van Thyn in Shreveport; they were married for 48 years, eight months and 12 days.
She had three children -- Melissa, stillborn at birth; Jason Key, 1974; and Rachel Van Thyn, 1979.
She resided in places as varied as Memphis; Shreveport for a decade; Kailua, Hawaii; Jacksonville, Florida (twice); Knoxville, Tennessee; and finally in Texas for almost 24 years -- North Richland Hills and then Fort Worth.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, and younger brother-by-two years Howard Shaw.
Survivors include Nico, Jason and Rachel; four grandchildren -- Josephine "Josie" Smith, Jacob Key, Kaden Key; and Eli Smith; younger sisters Brenda Chastain (husband Noah "Bucky") and Alice Woodard (husband Leonard); son-in-law Russell Smith; sister-in-laws Nance Shaw and Elsa Van Thyn (husband Jim Wellen); first husband Jerry Key; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She faced several physical challenges through the years, particularly as a two-time cancer survivor.
She was a very smart, kind, compassionate, well-read, knowledgeable, upbeat person who loved to cook and color and travel. She was selfless; an understanding wife; and mostly a proud, dedicated mother and Granny.
She did not want a memorial service, and she donated her body to the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth for medical research. Eventually her remains will return to North Louisiana to be with her parents.
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