Yvonne D. Shaw, 56, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Born in Williamsport, PA, she was the daughter of James and Carol Dawes.

     Yvonne was known for her generosity and compassion, qualities that she honed over the span of her career and in her personal life—starting with her role as Controller and Buyer at Serendipity 3 in Boston. Decadence came easy to Yvonne, whose eye for detail and the extraordinary was evident whether she was planning a corporate event or hosting book club in her home. Her career continued in Syracuse, where she became the Executive Director at Syracuse Corinthian Club, followed by a stint as Sales Manager at Hotel Syracuse. Her love of planning meetings and gatherings led her to serve as the Vice President of Group, Meeting & Incentives Division at BTI Travel Consultants, followed by Manager of Group Meetings & Incentives at Direct Travel Syracuse. Rounding out her career, she finished at Direct Travel Syracuse as the Director of Business Development.

       Perhaps her best work took place outside of the corporate world, where her influence and positive energy served as a beacon of hope and light to those battling illness. Yvonne was a member and warden at St. David’s Episcopal Church, a member of ZONTA, held a position on the SUNY Health Science Auxiliary Board, and was a 2013 New Balance Honorary Survivor at the Komen Race for the Cure. As a long-time member and eventual barre instructor at Elevate Fitness in DeWitt, she touched the lives of many along her journey battling breast cancer. She was an advocate for living life to the fullest and bravely showed the world around her the intimate ups and downs of living with cancer, inviting people to cherish moments, seize the day and find the silver lining in every situation. Her love of life was evident every day whether entertaining friends and family, enjoying the arts at Syracuse Stage along with chairing the St. David’s Celebration of the Arts, cheering on SU basketball, or simply taking in a sunset by the water with those she loved most. 

     She is predeceased by her father, James Dawes. Surviving is her husband of 32 years, Patrick Shaw; children, Zachary Shaw and Abigayle Shaw; mother, Carol Dawes; siblings, Cindy  (Robert) VanCoughnett, Stephen (Suzanna) Dawes and Becky MacCaull; sister-in-law, Diane (Hugh) Lowery; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-nephews, aunts and uncles.

     Calling hours will be Saturday, December 17 from 2 to 5pm at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 5pm.

      In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen, or Compassionate Care Foundation.