Gaylene Marie Shaw

Gaylene touched my life in many ways. Her humour, support ,encouragement and positivity influenced my son as his teacher, me as my friend, colleague and boss and as an informed support to my sister. She is one of the bravest, most positive women I have had the pleasure to be around. Memories of Gaylene will always keep a smile in my heart. She has touched so many lives and will be fondly remembered ❤️

Gaylene and I worked together at Piccadilly Place Daycare in 1985. We later reconnected along with Julie (another fantastic co worker) and hung out a few times. Then, a few years after that Gaylene got me a job at Western Daycare. I always liked her because she was a genuine, caring and kind person. I was so sad to hear that she passed away. I will cherish the memories we had and I hope for those of you who will miss her terribly will remember all of your good times and great memories and they bring a smile to your face when you think of her. Wishing you all peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Dear Colleen, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It is hard for me to believe that Gaylene has passed away. She was my boss, mentor, role model and enlightener. I got lots of advice and encouragement from her. She was a lovely lady. She will always have a special place in my heart. I will miss her.

We’re have very good friends of Gaylene for years, we considered her to be a part of our family. Gaylene is a very kind hearted person, when I (Shannon) went through breast cancer Gaylene was there for me. She opened her house to me so I could stay with her through my treatments and appointments. Gaylene drove me to all my appointments and treatments and told me when your all through this we will go on a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate. Unfortunately that didn’t happen because shorty after my bout she was sick again. Gaylene was my travel buddy since 2016 when we went to Cuba on an all girls trip. Our last all girls trip was in 2019, but we were planning another when we both were fine. I’m truly going to miss my travel buddy!❤️ Joe is going to be missing Gaylene’s calls about fixing her car or lawnmower, but most her calls to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs. We love you Gaylene, until we meet again!🥰

We have become good friends of Gaylene many years ago, we thought of her as family. She is a very close friend of ours for along time. We are truly going to miss her and the visits we had. When I (Shannon) went through my breast cancer, Gaylene was right there with opened arms and opened her house to me. Gaylene drove me to all my appointments while I stayed where her in London, (Very kind hearted). Joe is going to miss her calls to fix her car, lawnmower and talks about the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gaylene and I we’re travel buddies to all the girls get aways in the Caribbean, going to miss this a lot my travel buddy. Till me meet again, love you!❤️

I respected you as my boss. You never asked anyone to do anything you would not do yourself. In a day you would do office work, stop in a room to deliver a message, another room to sit and read a story, in the hall hugging a child who approached with open arms, comforting a sick child until they were able to go home and don’t forget the many toilets fixed by you. As a friend I loved you. Many great memories. The raku where maybe the laughter and fun was more important than the look of our pottery, sharing books with you, looking at your travel pics(you remembered every detail), your cookies always delicious, the dessert get togethers with lots of laughter and yummy sweet treats and our ghost tour. No ghosts made an appearance but the day was perfect. I will miss you.

Kevin: Our deepest sympathies with the loss of your sister .

My condolences to Gaylene’s family. I have fond memories of Warwick Drive in Wallaceburg with the Shaw family as our next door neighbours. Thinking of all of you at this sad time. -Bonnie Bechard Johnston, Chatham, ON

It's hard to comprehend she is no longer with us. We all prayed that we could spend more time with her. She was an awesome day tripper partner. We explored so much together. So many memories. Like the Butter Tart Tour, the Cheese Tour, donkey tours (Julie's idea of course) . Many shopping trips that drove me crazy. Even going to Wheatley to have the best fish and chips at Taylor's. I have so many great memories including from this spring where with the help of Colleen and Gary we got her to northern Ontario to fish. It was a pure moment of joy. After cleaning up and oiling her father's rod and reel we went out to fish. Lo and Behold she started to nail the small mouth bass on her dad's rod. It was a moment of joy to see and experience this with her. We will miss her.

Gaylene was a true friend. We did so much together. She was our Daytripper partner. Together we would seek out, my favorite NOT place to shop. We would travel to the annual Butter Tart Festival, St Jacob's, bison farms, and each winter exploring for sightings of snowy owls. She was such a joy to have around. Our decades long Habs vs the Leafs was a legend on it's own. In the end she won the original bill that has been exchanged for decades. She will always be the TML winner forever, capturing the last game. It is an honour to have her in our lives which now will be in our memories forever.

So sorry to hear of Gaylene’s passing. My condolences to your family, from a former Western colleague.

We are so very sorry to hear Gaylene left us way too soon. I will always remember our enjoyable conversations, her kindness and beautiful nature. Please accept our sincere condolences. Hugs and prayers to you all 💕 Love, Barb & Curtis

Rest In Peace Classy Lady

Colleen I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Gaylene sure accomplished many great things in her lifetime and I know you are feeling a great loss. Cherish all the wonderful memories you shared ❤️ Sending lots of love and strength as you navigate this new chapter