Nancy Hope Shaw Obituary
Nancy was born on March 26, 1936, in Boston, and adopted by Henry and Irene Enggren. She grew up in Mel rose and Ipswich, MA where she had her own outboard motorboat and explored the area of Crane's Beach and Plum Island as a young girl.
Nancy attended Boston University and graduated with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in organ and piano. She was Junior Choir Director at Trinity Church, in Boston and continued to play the organ in churches throughout her life.
She married Frederick Charlton Shaw on November 29, 1958, and they had four children, Elizabeth Hope, David Ward, Laura Joyce and Henry Alexander. The family moved to Westfield, NJ in the late 1960s. She was divorced in 1970.
Nancy was a much-beloved piano teacher in Westfield. She opened a clothing boutique in the 1970s called "Block Island Break-out" which was very popular and well-known in the area. Nancy was also a successful saleswoman, selling both printing and trade show design.
Nancy moved back to the North Shore in 2002, to Gloucester. She was a devout Christian and played the organ in Lanesville Congregational Church for many years.
She was an avid photographer and had a unique gift of capturing unusual images with her camera. Above all things, Nancy adored her succession of dogs: first "Mr. Dog", then handsome "Thor", and finally little "Meeko". She found great joy taking them for walks around Cape Ann. She was also an avid cyclist and traveler. Nancy was always the ringleader, arranging interesting excursions for family and friends.
Nancy is survived by her children – Elizabeth Cornaro and her husband, Mark; Laura Feit and her husband, Richard; and son Hank Shaw – as well as by her sisters Bonnie Boyle and her husband, Paul and their son Derek; and Nancy Ann McCaffrey and husband, Jim; and sister in-law, Beth Enggren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Irene Enggren, brother David Enggren, son David Ward Shaw, and special love, Frank Kilpatrick.
There will be no visitation. Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 165 Eastern Ave., Gloucester with Pastor Floyd Grace officiating.
A Memorial gathering will be planned for Spring. Memorials or donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse or Cape Ann Animal Aid. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
