Nellis M. (Chestnut) Shaw

Nellis M. (Chestnut) Shaw, 87, was received by her heavenly Father the morning of August 3, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Born January 28, 1935, to Nevin and Helen May (Tate) Chestnut in rural Clay County, Kansas. Nellis married LaMotte R. "Monty" Shaw August 5, 1954. They had five children Denise (Don), Curtis (Sue), Alan (Leanne), Brenda (Dennis) and Beth, plus Jon Dana and Dawn. She has thirteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and three great- great grandchildren. Nellis acquired many "extra other" children that called her mom over her lifetime as she became a mother figure to many. Services to be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 13th at Mount Hope Chapel 4700 SW 17th, Topeka. Nellis graduated from Clay County Community High School and then attended Stormont Vail School for Nursing. She went to work at Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) in 1963 as a psychiatric aide (PA). Through her 33 years of service at KNI she changed positions and job descriptions as times changed. She became a Unit Supervisor, a Licensed Mental Health Technician (LMHT), First Aid Instructor, a Training Coordinator, and received an Associate Degree from Salina in 1975. Nellis enjoyed camping, gardening, crocheting, puzzles, and quilting. She made walker bags and lap quilts for shut-ins and nursing homes, with her sewing group the "Laugh a lots" Another quilting group "Beavers", which includes some of her children and several of her "extra other kids" where she worked on quilts and many other crafts. She enjoyed traveling and went on many Girl Scout travels with her daughter and granddaughter and an Alaska cruise with her daughters. She enjoyed watching birds and sitting by her lily pond in the afternoon. She was family oriented and loved family events where she could spend time with her children and grandchildren. Nellis especially enjoyed her church family at Potwin Presbyterian Church. She served as a Deacon, an Elder and completed Bible studies from Menninger's. She attended many functions and helped wherever needed. Nellis was preceded in death by her husband LaMotte "Monty" Shaw, her parents, and three brothers, Robert "Clayton", Clifford, and Roger Chestnut. In lieu of flowers, the family asks, donations be made to Potwin Presbyterian Church or Midland Hospice in honor of Nellis Shaw.