Cynthia Marie Shaw

Cynthia Shaw, Age 62, of Livonia, MI passed away on August 30, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Loving wife of Russ Shaw. Beloved mother of Alyssa Shaw (Joseph Roose). Dear sister of David Welch and Daniel (Elizabeth) Welch. Caring aunt to Ashley Welch, Zachary Welch, and Tyler Welch. Loving daughter of Donna Welch and the late Jack Welch.  She will be incredibly missed by so many family members and friends.

Cindy or Cin, for short, was born in Detroit, MI to her parents Donna and Jack Welch. She lived in Detroit until she was 9 years old when she and her family moved to Plymouth, MI, where her mother still lives in the home she grew up in. 

Cindy worked at Kroger in her teens and early 20s. Her dad, Jack, was a Kroger store manager. She met her husband, Russ, while working at Kroger in 1980. Cindy worked in the snack bar and Russ stocked shelves in the toilet paper aisle, where their love story began. 

Russ and Cindy got married in 1984 in Detroit, MI at Fort Street Church. They then moved to Kingston, NY, when Russ was offered a job at IBM. They lived there for 10 years. Cindy earned a degree as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) prior to moving to NY and enjoyed working with children and the elderly in that role. While waiting for her NY COTA license, Cindy worked at IBM and she and Russ would drive to and from work together each day. During their last year in NY, they welcomed their daughter Alyssa. When Alyssa was 1 year old, they moved back to MI to raise her around family. 

Cindy took a break from her career to become a stay-at-home mom before returning to work as a COTA. During that career break, she also worked at two different Hallmark stores and at the Jackson Center in Livonia as a classroom aid. She became a member of Hilltop Church of the Nazarene and participated in many events there. 

Cindy met so many people in her lifetime that she left a lasting impression on. She would light up a room with her smile and presence and cared so much about helping others, whether they were family, friends, or even strangers, and making them feel loved and cared for. Anyone who knew her, loved her. 

Cindy fought so hard all her life, but especially in her final weeks. She was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on July 22nd and passed away nearly 6 weeks later. She was cared for by an awesome team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and nurse aids at Trinity Health Livonia and her family could not be more grateful for that in her last 2 weeks. 

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network  who supported Alyssa in retrieving many resources about pancreatic cancer. 

Visitation and Funeral

Saturday September 6, 2025

2:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Service at 7:00 pm

Fred Wood Funeral Home

36100 5 Mile Road Livonia (East of Levan)

Please share your favorite memory of Cin down below. 

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