Marie Dola Violette Shaw

GROTON, Conn. – Marie Dola Violette Shaw, 85, of Groton, passed away peacefully with her family present on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.

Born on Jan. 31, 1941, in Augusta, Maine, to the late George and Clemence (Dutil) Violette, Marie is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bill. Besides her husband Bill, she is survived by her daughters Nancy (Jeffrey) and Julie (Gary), her son Billy; grandchildren JoAnn, Melina, Celina, and Jacob; great-grandchildren Jonathan, Jacoby, Hayden, and Chloe; brother Roger, sisters Cecile, Mary Ann, and Linda, and the adopted Timothy Lehouillier family. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dawna, and sister Constance.

Marie was raised in Hallowell, Maine on the family farm. Her chores were tending various animals and harvesting the yearly crops. She attended Hallowell schools. She met her future husband, Bill, at the local roller-skating rink. They started dating after Bill joined the US Navy, coming home each weekend and he soon won her heart. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Hallowell on Thanksgiving Day, 1958. Marie became a proud Navy wife taking care of their children and becoming mom, dad, confidant and occasionally family peacemaker. She kept the family together during Bill’s many patrols protecting our country during the Cold War. There was a lot of moving around, seven times to be exact. She always had a positive attitude and looked forward to the new adventures while supporting family needs. The most difficult move was having to fly to Puerto Rico by herself with four young children, Billy being just two months old. She was a trooper and the travel happened without any hitches.

Marie always had a wish to do arts and crafts. She started with ceramics. Getting completely involved, she purchased her own oven and made nativity sets for her sisters. Everyone that saw them wanted one. So, we know how that goes, she made more. Also, she would make lamps, decorative figurines and Christmas decorations. Her favorite was the Christmas trees. Marie also took up sewing. She designed and made clothes for dolls, which again everyone wanted. Her reward was winning many blue ribbons at competitions.

Along with everything else, Marie decided to go back to work. She got a job at the Naval Submarine Base. She planned to work until the children finished school. Twenty-six years later she retired. Starting off at the Submarine Base Galley, she worked her way up to Supervisor. Her responsibilities included all versions of food preparation, serving and overall cleanliness of food preparation facilities. She was on the team that won the NEY award for the best shore activity galley, not once but twice. Marie was also awarded two “Outstanding Performance” awards for her efforts.

Marie’s family and friends always came first. She will be remembered for her genuine caring for others. Marie instilled faith and hope in all who knew her. Everyone came before her. If they were happy, she would be happy. There were many times when she would sit the children down and explain how growing up is not easy. She taught them to share with others.

Marie was deeply loved, and her absence will be felt in ways both large and small – in quiet moments, in familiar places, in stories told, and in the memories that continue to bring smiles through tears. We will miss her beyond words, but her love, her laughter, and the many moments she gave us will remain with us always.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the Yale-New Haven Healthcare team for their caring and professional services during Marie’s difficult times. We would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Charles Walcott and Dr Valarie Popkin for all their caring and support during this period.

Services will be private in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Pittston, Maine.

Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington Street, New London is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit http://www.byles.com to sign the guestbook.

Donations in Marie’s

name may be made to:

American Diabetes Association

New England branch

P.O. Box 7023

Merrifield, VA 22116-7023