HAVERHILL - Joan Shaw, 64, passed away peacefully on January 26, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.

She was born on November 15, 1952 to John F. Shaw, Jr. and Ruth C. Shaw. Joan grew up in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1970. After high school she attended Salem State College and graduated in 1976. Most recently she was employed by Philips Medical as a buyer where she worked for 16 years. Prior to that she worked as both a foreman and a buyer at General Electric for 21 years. Her career started in the 1970's as a third shift foreman in wire and cable at GE. She gained the respect of the men she managed and she continued to earn respect and became well loved throughout her career.

Joan married Therese S. (Taffy) Jervey in 2010. They were happily together for 33 years and legally married for 7. Joan was a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill. She enjoyed playing sports and played basketball and softball in high school and college and for many years after finishing school. Most recently she enjoyed golf, bowling and watching the New England Patriots. She also enjoyed traveling. She and Taffy enjoyed many great trips with family and friends. She especially enjoyed her trips to the beach and the mountains with Taffy. Joan filled her life with love, laughter, family, friends and fun. She was a great party planner, planning parties for birthdays, retirements, holidays. She would always plan a fun game, song or costumes to help provide laughs and ensure everyone had a good time. Many great memories are shared from those parties.

She was one of the most positive and happy people around. Joan previously battled breast cancer, where she decided to go to work bald, as she felt it was a blessing and a sign that people would know she was fighting cancer and they would take the time to exchange stories. It was an honor to her to be a friend, and to have friends share in the journey.

Even as she was losing the fight with brain cancer, Joan felt it a blessing that she was able to have the time to spend with her family and friends, near and far, in visits, Facebook posts, and cards. She referred to the time with loved ones as "heavenly". In case any of you missed her message to you all, she loves you! Her positive attitude and huge beautiful smile were contagious and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Joan is survived by her spouse Taffy of Newton, NH; her brother John F. (Jack) Shaw, III and wife Sharen of North Andover and sister Janet M. Smith and husband Ron of Warwick, RI; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in-law and cousins. Joan was preceded in death by her parents John F. Shaw, Jr. and Ruth C. Shaw.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, January 29, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Haverhill from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, 15 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill on Saturday February 11 beginning at 1:00 PM. For the Celebration of Life, please wear your Hawaiian shirts or bright colors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joan's memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830 or Cancer Research Institute. For online guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com