Lil Shaw: Embracing gratitude, connections, and joy
What’s amazing about Lil Shaw isn’t that she’s turning 100 (although that is quite a monumental milestone!) or that she tells people her longevity is courtesy of “sex and booze” (which is her response to the question just because it’s so unexpected and makes them laugh) or even that she has worked more than half of her life (again, impressive!). No. It’s her warmth. It’s the sparkle in her eyes right before she tells you something funny. It’s how you feel being around her. Also, high up on the list is how she shares herself with JFS and our community.
Born and raised in New York, Lil came to Colorado at 20 after her brother, stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, fell in love with the state. Lil met her husband, Lou, at a JCC Denver mixer, and the couple began building their family. In 1971, she joined the JCC staff, and over the next 42 years, she jokes that she worked in just about every department. In 2013, when JFS took over the lunch program at the JCC, Lil began working for the agency as our JCC Meal Site Coordinator, which is where you’ll find her four days a week, checking guests in, doing paperwork, and providing overall ground support to make people feel welcome and the meal runs smoothly before playing Mahjong with the girls, who have become lifelong friends. (Lil’s days are even better when she gets to see her 1-year-old great-grandson, who attends the JCC Early Learning School.)
“I get involved with people’s lives, and I’m so happy when something good happens,” shared Lil. “The camaraderie and friendships make the lunch program special. I love listening to stories, seeing smiles, and hearing laughter. We enjoy a beautiful meal at a reasonable price, and the program is wonderful, with great staff and volunteers. JFS and the lunch program are blessings.”
Everyone knows Lil, and when asked to describe her, things like “spitfire with a sense of humor,” “wonderful co-worker,” “admirable,” and “spunky” were shared. “Lil doesn’t think that she is remarkable, but everyone else does,” said JFS ACC Care Manager Mollie Steward. “It’s a gift to know her. She touches everyone’s life—staff, volunteers, and lunch patrons. She lives this life on her terms, and you don’t meet a lot of people like Lil. She’s been my role model.”
With the benefit of aging comes the wisdom you gain. After speaking with Lil, it’s impossible not to think a little deeper and reflect on her perspectives. Some gems include:
You have to get up and move forward, even on hard days.
It’s important to have a sense of humor.
You can’t spend the day in bed watching TV all day. You’ll become stagnant, and that’s not good.
Smiles and laughter make a good day.
“I have a beautiful life, and I live it as best I can,” said Lil. “I don’t have any plans to slow down until my body does. I’m grateful I’m still here.” So are we, Lil. So are we!
Lil shows up, gives of herself, and cares deeply. After you read this story, make someone smile, do an act of kindness, or just think about something you’re grateful for, like Lil does every day, which would be such a wonderful tribute to a lovely lady.