Veteran educator loses battle to cancer at 62

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 9:01 a.m.

Her husband, County Commissioner Jim Shaw, said his wife underwent surgery last month after doctors found several tumors. It was the fourth surgery in the past two years to fight the cancer that had attacked her breasts, pelvis and lungs.

After nearly 12 years on the Nevada Board of Education, Shaw said his wife was ready to take a break when her term of office expired in 2001.

He said that although it was obvious her illness was worsening, she seemed to be feeling better Wednesday afternoon. He went to a store for Thanksgiving dinner that evening. When he returned an hour later, she had died.

"It was so sad, her poor body," he said.

In addition to her husband, survivors include her son, Dale Grimes, and daughter, Stephanie Neill, both of Sparks; two sisters, Virginia Price of Elko and Darlene Cline of Sparks; her mother, Ruth Tomera of Fallon; and four grandchildren.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Therese of the Little Flower Catholic Church with burial at Mountain View Cemetery.