Ruth Meeker Shaw, a longtime resident of Collinsville, passed away at Anderson Hospital in Maryville on July 20, 2013 after a short illness. She was 93.

A native of Mt. Morris, IL, Mrs. Shaw graduated from Carthage College in 1943, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in home economics. She served as the director of School Food Services for the Collinsville School District, retiring in 1973. In addition, Mrs. Shaw served as the president of the Illinois School Nutrition Association in 1961-62.

Mrs. Shaw married Al Kitzmiller in 1947, and was widowed in 1960. In 1962, she married Dr. William C. Shaw, one of the founding professors of SIUE's physics department. After Dr. Shaw's death in 1977, she instituted the Shaw Memorial Lecture series, which has brought many well-known scientists to the Edwardsville campus to give popular public lectures on scientific topics.

An active Unitarian Universalist with the Alton UU congregation, Mrs. Shaw was the midwestern states chair for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in 1982. She designed the Alton congregation's kitchen, and contributed extensively to its food ministry.

Mrs. Shaw was also an avid world traveler, visiting 79 countries over the course of her life. She participated the UN Decade of Women Forum in Nairobi, Kenya in 1985; and was active with a number of global associations, including the International Association for Religious Freedom, the International Association of Liberal Religious Women, and Associated Country Women of the World. As a member of the SIUE International Hospitality Program, she hosted many international SIUE students in her home over the years. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and active with the Collinsville P.E.O. and BPW chapters.

Mrs. Shaw is survived by four stepdaughters -- Suzanne McNamara of Pittsford, NY, Cindy O'Connor and Sally Simpson of Lawton, OK, and Jane Briggs of Glen Ellyn, IL --along with their husbands, ten grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two nieces, Judy Meeker Muller of Madison, WI and Crystal Meeker Dombrowski of Mequon, WI; and two nephews, Jerry Meeker of Austin, TX and Stuart Meeker of Cherry Valley, IL, and their spouses and children.

Mrs. Shaw will be honored as part of the Shaw Memorial Lecture to be held at SIUE on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Friends may gather from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability at SIUE with Rev. Sylvia Falconer officiating and refreshments will be provided by the Alton Unitarian Church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Shaw Lecture Fund at SIUE. Arrangements handled by Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Illinois.