Alice Theresa Shaw

On August 20, 2023, Alice Theresa (Mulholand) Shaw, 94, of Lakeland, Florida, passed peacefully at home into eternal heaven, with loving family members at her side. Born in Columbus, Ohio on May 21, 1929, to the late Henry J. ‘Harry’ (1900-1988) and Mary J. (Flood) Mulholand (1900-1980), Alice lived an exemplary life of dedication and devotion to God, country, and her loving family. The fourth of six children, she was predeceased by siblings Henry J. ‘Jim’ Mulholand (1925-2005), Mary P. ‘Pat’ (Mulholand) Rath (1927-2021), Thomas C. ‘Tom’ Mulholand (1928-2014) and Robert A. ‘Bob’ Mulholand (1931-2009).

A 1947 honor graduate of Rosary High School in Columbus, she married her high school sweetheart, Sanford J. ‘Sandy’ Shaw (1929-2011), at Christ The King Catholic Church on August 30, 1952. The couple is survived by their five loving children, twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a brother and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alice led an amazing life, giving her all to everything that was set before her. After graduating high school, she excelled in her brief career as an advertising manager with Montgomery Ward before switching to her most challenging position, wife of a traveling sales executive and mother of five rambunctious children. In 1967, Sandy opened The Village Inn, a rundown tavern in Louisville, Ohio with “lots of potential”. A short time later, Alice opened The Village Pizza Shop right next door. Within a few years, both establishments were booming in popularity. In 1972, Sandy was sidelined by a heart attack, leaving Alice to manage the tavern, the pizza shop, a disabled husband, and a houseful of kids all at the same time. Rumors persist that she either cloned herself or, after ducking into a local phone booth, emerged as a mild-mannered Superwoman, taking both businesses to new heights while still doing everything a stay-at-home Mom does, and then some! To this day, you can still find longtime residents of Louisville pining for a pizza from “The Village”.

In 1986, the Shaw’s sold their businesses and moved to Lakeland, Florida. Alice deftly switched gears once again, becoming a successful real estate agent at the Foxwood communities in north Lakeland. She became a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, where she continued her lifelong devotion to the Catholic faith. Eventually, Sandy returned to work as the spring training announcer and scorer for the Detroit Tigers/Lakeland Flying Tigers organization based at Marchant Stadium. As always, Alice was right there beside him, working with the stadium’s food service concessions.

Regardless of what life threw at her, Alice always maintained a quick-witted sense of humor and a calm graciousness that overshadowed her gritty determination to make the best of everything. Her faith, patience, no-nonsense honesty, humility, and humor were blessings that have shaped us all. She is and always will be lovingly remembered by everyone who had the great fortune to know her.

Alice’s children wish to extend a special appreciation to her brother, her niece, and the staff of Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland for the compassionate comfort and care they provided during her last weeks at home. Your kindness will always be remembered in our hearts.

Her funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 820 Marcum Rd. in Lakeland on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. In keeping with Alice’s wishes, attendees are encouraged to wear anything but black, as this is not the end of her earthly existence, but the beginning of her joyous eternal life with God. Alice will be interred with Sandy at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue in Bushnell, Florida.