Mary Jo “MJ” Ellen Shaw Albert

home on Friday, February 10, 2023, following a lengthy illness.

She was born October 29, 1935, in South Bend, IN, the daughter of the late Spencer L. and Edna Klinedinst Shaw.

MJ was a 1953 graduate of Chautauqua Central School and earned an associate degree in Interior Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

She had worked as an Administrative Assistant for the American Institute of research in Washington, DC, and was also the Finance Manager for the Town of Chautauqua for many years. Her family was some of the original founders of the Chautauqua Institution and they continue to be active members of the community through their successful family business; Shaws’s Laundry/Ministers Union, currently managed by third generation family.

MJ was a member of the Chautauqua Rails to Trails and the Chautauqua Women’s Club at the Chautauqua Institution acting as treasurer for both groups. In her younger days, she was quite the artist. She also enjoyed reading books, antiquing, traveling, interior designing, and spending time with her family. She was loved by so many, and the matriarch of her family. She will be deeply missed by all.

She is survived by her loving husband; Louis J. Albert, whom she married on March 2, 1962, a daughter; Lisa Paulus of Dewittville, NY, a stepdaughter; Donna (Hosien) Kamelbake of Whispering Pines, NC, five grandchildren; Brittney (Alex Hass) Paulus of Salamanca, NY, Leah (Michael) Lyons of Batavia, NY, Robert Paulus of Mayville, NY, Ashley (Derek Johnson) Paulus of Woodbridge, VA, and Rahmean Kamelbake of Grimesland, NC, five great- grandchildren; Scarlet and Harper Hass, Kennedy and Bennett Lyons, and Isabella Kamelbake, three siblings; Linda Brownell of Bluffton, SC, Eunice (Melvin) Baldwin of Mayville, NY, and Jerald (Karen) Shaw of Port Charlotte, FL, six nieces and nephews; Christine (Bill) Peterson, Kenneth (Jesse) Brownell, Matthew (Carly) Brownell, Lynette Forsythe, Laurie (Al) Krampits, and Roxie Shaw, and many cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a stepson; Louis J. “Johnny” Albert, a brother-in-law; Eric Brownell and a nephew; Martin Wright.

There will be no immediate services observed. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at the Hurlbut Memorial Community United Methodist Church (21 Scott Ave, Chautauqua, NY 14722).

Memorial donations can be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care (20 W. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com