Edna Shaw

Edna “Eda” Mae Shaw passed away peacefully on January 7, 2024 at the age of 88.

She was born on February 13, 1935 in Annotto Bay, St Mary Parish, Jamaica, WI to Girlene Henry and Jasper “Doc” Shaw. She was the eldest of 3 children.

Edna was educated at Murraymount in St Ann Parish at the school built by her Aunts Vera (Vie) and Catherine (KiKi). In 1955 at the age of 20, Aunt Kiki sent Edna to England to study nursing. While in England she took the opportunity to travel to Scotland, beginning her love of travel.

While a attending a dance in England, she met Leroy Nodrick Raghnal whom she eventually married and together they had 3 wonderful children: Tracey, Marie and Richard.

Upon completing her nursing training, Edna made the solo trip to America and where she joined the nursing program at Lawrence Hospital, in Bronxville, NY. She was a resident living in the hospital dormitory while she worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse.

The family joined her in 1967 when they moved into an apartment on Noble Ave, Bronx, NY. They eventually moved to Barnes Ave, then Ely Ave until they finally purchase a home on East 241st Street in the Bronx.

Upon retiring from Lawrence Hospital after 33 1/3 years of bringing babies into the world, she started volunteering at the Williamsbridge Presbyterian Church. She helped out around the church where needed but her main focus was on the “Prison Fellowship Angel Tree” program which provided Christmas gifts and support to children of incarcerated individuals. She loved that program. She loved to give back to her community.

Edna moved to a beautiful condo at the Granada Crescent in Greenburgh, NY in 2001. She just didn’t want to have to shovel snow anymore. At that time, she now had 4 grandchildren: Jaffar, Jarrett, Aijah and Aaliyah, they were her heart. She adored and cherished every moment with them, and loved telling everyone what her grandchildren had accomplished.

A good friend introduced her to the White Plains Presbyterian Church. She loved listening to the sermon, singing the hymns and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was at the church where she met some women who would become her dearest friends as she became part of the “Nifty Thiftys”. This was a group of church grandmothers who met twice a week, where they would sort items for the tag sale, and assist with church functions. However, the best part of the “Nifty Thiftys” hanging with the girls.

Then COVID-19 hit and hanging out with friends and family was not an option for a long period. Being alone in her condo and not being able to gather with friends took a toll. As the pandemic wound down Edna moved into Winchester Gardens, a senior community in Maplewood, NJ, where soon everyone knew her and enjoyed her company.

Edna was very artsy. She could knit, crochet and sew like a professional as anyone who received an item knitted by her can attest…pure treasure. She also donated to several charities including feed the children, she felt no one should go hungry.

Edna was a shy person, it took her time to meet people but once she did, she was the social butterfly. Anyone will tell you that she always greeted you will a big smile that reached up to her eyes. She was compassionate, loving and gracious and she taught those lessons to her children. She found the best in everyone and would give her best to anyone. As important as friends were to her, her family was her heart, first her children, then her grandchildren and finally her great-grandchild. Their success was her success, their pain, her pain; their joy, her joy. Holidays: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, were so important because the family and extended family (friends), were the best part of life, being together.

Eda was pre-deceased by her sister Madge Yearwood, ex-husband Leroy Raghnal and close friend Joe Johnson. She is survived by her brother Rudolph Shaw, her daughters Tracey and Marie, son Richard and daughter-in-law Harriett. Grandchildren Jaffar Daly and his partner Linda Aldebot, Jarrett Raghnal, Aijah Raghnal, Aaliyah Raghnal and Great- Granddaughter Roslyn and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to those who loved and cherished Eda as much as we do.

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ATTENTION: As we continue to phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services amid the continuing COVID & various health concerns, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Wake/Visitation will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 7:00-9:00PM at the White Plains Presbyterian Church with limited capacity, & with Funeral Service on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 at 9:00AM. So you may come to the Church to try to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the days of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that Edna Mae Shaw & family entrusted her care & the care of their loved one to us, and that she & they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Family & Friends of Edna Mae Shaw during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Feel free to come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & social distance as much as possible. If you know you have a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to either facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church & cemetery, and directions of the funeral home staff, church and/or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any policies, so as to make all go smoothly the days of the services & burial, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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As a lasting tribute, you may choose to plant a tree, and/or a contribution may be made in her name/memory/honor to a church or charity of your choice. If sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Fri. January 12th, 2024 by/before 5:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home; or on Fri. January 12th by/before 6:45PM or Sat. Jan. 13th by/before 8:45AM to the White Plains Presbyterian Church. The Family Thanks You!