Roll Call Tribute

Eleanor Shaw Claiborne 

February 18, 1976 - September 29, 2024 

Eleanor Merrill Shaw Claiborne died Sunday, September 29, 2024 under the extraordinary care of dedicated health care providers at MD Anderson. She was lovingly surrounded by family and friends as we tearfully said, “Good bye,” and leagues of angels said, “Hello.”

Eleanor is survived by her parents: Mike and Nancy Shaw, son: Graham Claiborne, brothers: Michael (Suzanne) and Rob (Stephanie), niece: Isabel, nephews: Michael, Oliver and Tobin, aunts, uncles, cousins and so many different communities of friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Eva Shaw and Edward and Bebe James.

Eleanor was born on February 18, 1976. She was Mike and Nancy Shaw’s second of three treasured children, but their only centennial, baby girl. Life for Eleanor began in Corpus Christi, Texas. She grew up on Amistad Street- appropriately and literally translated as Friendship Street. Lifelong friends, that became like family, and this unique city on the bay, always held a piece of her heart and became the foundation for two true and deep loves: relationships and the ocean.

The Shaws moved to Fulshear, Texas, and Eleanor attended high school at St. John’s Houston- graduating in 1994. Following in her father’s footsteps, Eleanor officially became a proud Fightin’ Texas Aggie; she graduated from the Mays Business School, with honors in 1998. Immediately after graduation, Eleanor moved to Austin working at Dell for several years. Austin was magic for El; she loved the city and the way it sat with nature. She felt her creativity beat to the sound of music flowing from building and field. And perhaps most profoundly, Eleanor saw herself in the eclectic people and the way life became their art. Her next stop was Denver as she accepted a job with Chef America. It was there, Eleanor put her marketing skills to use; she was instrumental in designing the packaging for Lean Hot Pockets. In her free time, she continued to follow music and bands like Wide Spread Panic, and enjoyed the majesty of the Rocky Mountains- skiing by winter while hiking and biking by summer. Perhaps these very hikes inspired her to take a break from Corporate America to do the soul searching work of a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago. Eleanor, never shied away from a challenge, often questioned the status quo, balked at the boring, and always thoughtfully sought out the next adventure- so she walked and walked.

With her sabbatical complete, our perpetual student decided to continue her formal education at the University of Texas where she earned a Masters in Business Administration. During this time, Eleanor reconnected with an old high school friend, Adam Claiborne. They married, and had their son, Graham. Eleanor’s heart was overcome with a love that permeated every thought, plan and decision. A love so profound and complete she committed to become the best version of herself: connected, open, honest, curious, playful and fearless. She would never say this work was done, but along the way she became a pilgrim, again. She walked bravely, tirelessly and with voracious curiosity through Graham’s formative years as she searched her soul and The Creator of Souls for answers that would make Graham’s world better. And in pure Eleanor fashion, she began to share her understanding of humanity and equipped others with tools that could help them live more authentically into their purpose.

In 2020, there was good in the midst of a pandemic; Eleanor found her partner in Mitch Pendarvis; he was her equal in all the ways that mattered. Together they created a life of intimacy and adventure. Future plans were dreamed and adjusted when Eleanor was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2020. Mitch was her refuge, nurse and comfort throughout. Eleanor faced cancer head on, accepted treatment, and was resolved to a healthy body, mind and spirit. For three years her body showed no signs of cancer; Eleanor dug deep into healing and even served as a board member for MD Anderson Cancer Center. Cancer reminded her that life was fragile, but she maintained a tenacious grip. She intentionally sought out the people she loved, often sat before the healing power of crashing waves, forged and fought for familial tradition, chased the pink moments of sunrises and sunsets, and always planned the next adventure. Eleanor is now on an eternal adventure of discovery, in deep relationship with her Creator, making lists and big plans for our holy reunion.

A funeral service will be held in Fredericksburg’s St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 2:00PM on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.