WINDHAM – Sarah Ann Burbank Shaw, 53, died Feb. 23, 2006, at home, of pancreatic cancer. Sarah was born in Portland, in 1952, to Dr. Bernerd H. Burbank and Hannah P. Burbank. After moving to Bronxville, N.Y. in 1955, with her family, Sarah attended Bronxville public school and graduated from Eastchester High School. She attended the University of Maine, Orono and received a bachelor of arts from The College of New Rochelle, New York. Sarah was not only a die-hard Mainer, she was an independent woman with a great love of people and animals who made friends wherever she went. Over her lifetime she had many interests and several careers. She was a singer in local bands in both Orono and Houlton. Sarah ran in the Boston Marathon. Sarah was a special education teacher in both the South Portland and Lewiston school systems. Believing that she could learn a lot about life from older adults, Sarah worked lovingly with seniors at a nursing home in Gorham. Sarah ultimately decided that being self-employed would not only complement her free spirit, but would allow her more time to be with her two children. Over the last several years, Sarah operated her own cleaning business and often expressed her delight with the interesting people she met. Sarah was a strong and resilient woman who above all adored her children. She maintained her dry sense of humor, overriding concern for others, tremendous spirit, strength and courage until the end. In addition to her husband, Dan L. Shaw; Sarah is survived by her parents, a daughter, Hannah B. Robbins; son, Paul B. Robbins; sister, Jane Burbank of New York, N.Y.; brothers, Jonathan Burbank and wife, Holly, of Ridgefield, Conn. and David Burbank and wife, Illa, of Ithaca, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage, South Portland. A Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the “Hannah and Paul Robbins Trust Fund,” care of Evergreen Credit Union, 785 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, ME 04062. The fund will be used to assist Hannah and Paul with their future education and career goals.
SARAH ANN BURBANK SHAW
