Remembering Pat Shaw
Pat was born on July 21, 1931 in Ohio. While attending Catholic high school, she learned about Orthodoxy and was later chrismated into the faith in the 1960's. She moved from New York City to the District before the establishment of the Orthodox Church in America in 1970. Beginning in the summer of 1971, Pat began co-directing the English language choir with Andrea Lutov under the spiritual direction of Fr. Dmitry Grigorieff, who later became Dean of the Cathedral, and the musical direction of Nicholas V. Borodulia (of blessed memory).
Pat directed Sunday Liturgies, Saturday Vespers, Presanctified Liturgies, and eventually Saturday Vigils as Fr. Dmitry brought these English-language services into the church schedule. Pat and her co-director introduced combined language Liturgies on Sundays in the summer when Mr. Borodulia vacationed at the beach in Delaware. Soon after, combined language Festal Vigils began with Mr. Borodulia directing the Slavonic choir in the choir loft while the English Choir sang in the nave by candlelight. Most hymns and stichera were sung by one of the choirs, but on occasion verses were alternated for a true antiphonal effect. Pat lovingly dubbed these services "upstairs/downstairs.”
Pat led the St. Nicholas choir for nearly 20 years through its evolution into the choir we hear today. She helped to lead it through a particularly difficult time upon the death of our Director of Music shortly before Christmas services 1986/87, and assisted until the appointment of a new Director of Music in September 1987.
Pat was devoted to the choir, directing, arranging luncheons to increase its treasury, building the music library, suggesting choir donations to the church building fund, and introducing parish celebrations. One such was "Mardi Gras" before Great Lent, a festive gathering with food, singing, dancing, and costumed presentations of old Russian folk tales. Many of these activities continue today, helping to bring the choirs together as a unified group while continuing to provide services in two languages.
Among Pat’s other contributions to the cathedral were introducing the concept of the parish coffee hour, serving as recording secretary on the Board of Trustees (now the Parish Council), teaching Sunday School, and working year-round toward the annual Bazaar Used Book Sales. She was also a member of the "R" Club, serving as its secretary and sending out personalized, handwritten postcard invitations to its Christmas party before everyone was "online".
Pat fell asleep in the Lord in April 1999 on Bright Tuesday. Her Paschal funeral on Bright Saturday allowed for full choir attendance and included a Paschal procession around the church. Pat is survived by her older sister Mary S. Mitchell. May her Memory be Eternal.
