Judith Selverstone Shaw ’74

Judy died of cancer Dec. 27, 2004, in Boston.

Judy entered Princeton in 1969 with the first class of women, the Class of '73. She took a year off between junior and senior year and graduated with highest honors in 1974, receiving the art and archaeology department's senior thesis prize.

She met Richard "Dick" Shaw '72 in the summer after her freshman year, and they were married by religion professor Horton Davies in June 1972, two days before Dick's graduation. They lived for three years at George School in Newtown, Pa., where Dick taught math and their daughter, Caitlin '97, was born. Judy then entered Yale Law School and graduated in 1980, an event followed by the birth of son Samuel four weeks later.

Judy practiced law in Boston, Keene, N.H., and Hartford, Conn., before retiring shortly after her cancer diagnosis. For 15 years she studied cancer research, and assisted her oncologists in selecting her chemotherapy and clinical trials. Assisted by her many friends, she supported others with cancer by supplying information and advice, and by sharing her optimism. At the same time, she wrote two novels, raised chickens and ducks, and maintained a large organic garden.

All who knew her will miss her great warmth, wit, and extraordinary intellect.

In addition to her husband and two children, Judy is survived by her sister, Joan Selverstone Clark *71; brother Peter Selverstone; father-in-law Henry Shaw '35, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, including Jane Selverstone '78.

The Class of 1974