Sara Loretta Shaw, a courageous warrior with the heart of a shield maiden and a spirit forged in resilience, determination, and unwavering resolve, passed from this world at 4:27 p.m. on July 4, 2026, surrounded by her parents, siblings, and loved ones. Sara had been battling health issues for quite some time, resolute in her desire to get better, but her body ultimately could not match the strength of her spirit. Though her earthly battle has come to an end, her spirit lives on, beginning the next chapter of its journey in peace.

Sara was born on December 27, 1978, at Huntington Memorial Hospital, in Pasadena, California, into the loving care of Thaddeus and Theresa Shaw. She spent the first months of her life in a cozy home atop a sloped hill in Monrovia, California before moving to the quaint town of South Pasadena, California, where she grew up in her childhood home across the street from the high school pool, with her four siblings. Sara attended Holy Family Grammar School, spent her first year of high school at Alverno High School, and then went on to graduate from South Pasadena High School. From there she enrolled in Pasadena City College where she discovered a love for biology.

Sara lived a life that was distinctly her own. As a child, she could often be found climbing trees or caring for a wide variety of animals, from her parakeet, Chi Chi, and numerous rats and mice, to iguanas, tortoises, cats, and dogs. Her love of animals began early and remained a constant throughout her life. Each summer, Refugio State Beach became her home away from home, where she looked forward to a week of camping with family and friends. Despite spending her days at the beach, Sara somehow managed to stay almost completely out of the sun—a family joke that brought many smiles over the years. Sara earned numerous badges while taking part in Girl Scouts, and she also enjoyed playing AYSO soccer, showing off her defensive skills.

As she got older, at times, you could find her performing her favorite ‘80s Karaoke tune, “Sweet Dreams,” by the Eurythmics, or traveling to the Rialto Theatre, in South Pasadena, at midnight to sing along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sara loved country music, anything ‘80s, and she loved the color black. Theresa, Sara’s mother, remembers that Sara would joke, “People must think that I only wear one pair of pants”, while she would point to twenty pairs of perfectly folded, black pants. Her style was unmistakably her own, from her beloved Bela Lugosi purse to her tattoos of the Joker, Harley Quinn, and the memorable phrase, "Why so serious?".

Sara married once, but chose to leave that relationship to move on to other adventures. When her grandmother became very ill, Sara moved in to care for her, giving of herself wholeheartedly and becoming a source of constant love, strength, and comfort. She was that same source of comfort and strength to many friends whom she helped through difficult times. As one friend shared:

“Sara was my greatest and best friend. She helped me through my darkest times. I miss her so much. She is resting now. Her fight is over…”

Sara is survived by her son Collin Scott and her entire Shaw family: her mother, Theresa Shaw, her father, Tad Shaw, her sisters Christine, Heather and Lisa Shaw, her brother Brian Shaw, her sister-in-law, Katie Lee, and her niece and nephew, Amora and Leo Shaw, respectively. She is also survived by her Aunts, Linda, Judy, and Cristina Sabatella, Pat Avila and Joan Forman, Uncles Carmelo, Paschal, and Lou Sabatella, and Richard Avila, and cousins, Lyn, Robert and Jennifer Shaw and Gina, Michael, Nicholas, Arianna, Dante, Steven and Matthew Sabatella. Sara is also survived by her best friend from high school, Alan Scott.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Wendy and Athena who helped care for Sara, ease her pain, and make her days more enjoyable.

We are heartbroken that Sara’s journey here ended far too soon. She was a force of nature—a warrior, a protector, and someone who will never be forgotten. Like the shield maidens she admired in spirit, Sara met every challenge with courage, loyalty, and unwavering determination. Though her voyage here has ended, we imagine her setting sail toward calm waters, her burdens finally laid to rest, her spirit forever free.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have received from all family and friends during this time of profound loss.