Sarah Shaw Angstadt

Sarah Shaw Angstadt age 95, departed this life and started her immortal journey on

April 11, 2023. Sarah was born September 29,1927, in Birmingham, Alabama, daughter

of Mildred and Clifford Sheffield. Her family, including her only sibling, brother Clifford

Sheffield, Jr (Bud) moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin during World War II in pursuit of a

new job for Clifford Sr.

Upon graduation from high school in Milwaukee, Sarah attended Milwaukee Teachers

College and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in

Home Economics in 1950. She excelled in her college courses, particularly chemistry

and mathematics. Upon graduation, Sarah went to work in the fashion/retail industry in

Chicago.

Sarah met her first husband, Donald Earl Shaw at a Wisconsin lake event in 1950 and

were married on June 3,1953, at the United States Military Academy, West Point Cadet

Chapel.

Sarah became a career Army wife and mother of four children: Jane Shaw Dewey

(Brian), Robert Donald Shaw (Lisa), Patricia Shaw Reed (Mark), and Mary Shaw

Richardson (Scott). Posted to several military installations in the US and abroad, Sarah

supported her family by providing both the needed determination and guidance in

adapting to new locations.

In 1967, the family settled in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition to raising four children, Sarah

worked for several years with her parents and her brother in the family business in

Annandale, Virginia. In 1980, Sarah and Don built their beloved dream home in

McLean, Virginia and hosted many family and friends. Don passed away in 1998 at the

age of 70 from cancer. Sarah continued to attend the West Point Class of 1953 events

with friends and met John Angstadt, a West Point alumnus and also a widower at one of

the events. Sarah and John dated and were married in 2003. They enjoyed a life of

travel, companionship and visiting their many grandchildren. John passed away in 2020.

Sarah is known to her family as a fiercely independent woman, avid reader, puzzle

solver including several crosswords (Saturday was always puzzle day), gardener,

shopper, and host. She loved to entertain her family and give gifts. Sarah’s caring

attitude and kindness endeared her as friend to many and as a loving grandmother and

great grandmother. Sarah never forgot a family birthday or anniversary. When she got

her first iPhone she learned to text and share photos so she could keep up with her

expanding family.

Sarah’s stylish grace, her resilience and optimism, her warm hugs and joy of life will

always be remembered by her family. Sarah served as a model to her family on how to

live life to the fullest and find the beauty in all things.

Sarah leaves behind 4 children with their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the USMA Class of 53 Superintendents Endowment,

698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996, or to Goodwin House Palliative Care and Hospice,

3440 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church, VA 22043.