VALORIE B. SHAW
02/14/1947 - 01/29/2023
On January 29, 2023, Valorie Burns Shaw passed away at her home in San Antonio. Valorie was the wife of Edwin P. Shaw Jr. and the oldest of three children born to Hoyt Neal Burns and Pattie Ann Lindell. She was best known for her generosity to all, her love of family, and her beauty - both inside and out.
Her father was a Naval Officer and her family lived in many places including Hawaii, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Alabama and Houston, Texas.
One particular highlight of her childhood was spending summers with her grandparents on the Lindell Farm in Terrace Park, Ohio. The idyllic country setting and the many activities available there for youth were things that she recalled with great fondness.
As a child in Mississippi her family lived in a carriage house at the home of author William Faulkner and she spent time playing with his children.
She was awarded a full scholarship in dance at
Texas Christian University, which she declined to attend the University of Texas and earned a degree in Education. While at UT, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was named one of the 10 Most Beautiful, the Maid of Cotton, Engineering Sweetheart, and the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
During college, she worked a summer job at the hotel in Houston where the Beatles stayed during their 1965 tour. Her talent and welcoming personality resulted in her being selected to be the personal liaison for the Beatles.
Valorie loved ballet and danced with the Houston Ballet, and while associated with the San Antonio Ballet she performed with the renowned dancer, Jose Greco. Valorie continued ballet as an avocation and exercise for 52 years.
Her passion was the 30 years she enjoyed as owner and operator of “bric brac ‘n brass” Gift Shop in San Antonio. She fondly called it the “happiest little shop in Texas”. She was passionate about finding unique gifts and decorative items, and enjoyed long relationships with many loyal customers, who today still fondly recall the store many years after its closing.
Valorie was active in volunteer work, was a member of the San Antonio Junior League, and in other fund raising efforts for groups like the San Antonio Ballet and Sunshine Cottage.
Valorie and her husband enjoyed travel and built many fond memories on trips throughout North America and Europe.
Valorie was preceded in death by her father, her mother, and a son, Hunter Lindell Harris. She is survived by her husband; brothers, Hoyt Neal Burns Jr. and Robert Lindell Burns; daughters, Connie Shaw, Emily Kassay, and Kelly Harris-Allen. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Scarlett Harris, Browning Harris, Mason Bracamontez, Shaw Kassay, Jude Kassay, Houston Harris, Vivian Harris, Genevieve Harris and Weston Harris.
A memorial service is planned for Friday, February 17th at 3:00 pm, at Porter Loring Mortuary Chapel,
1101 McCullough, San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas at cbcst.org.
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with PORTER LORING MORTUARY
1101 McCULLOUGH AVE. SAN ANTONIO, TX
78212 – (210) 227-8221