Caroline Kallquist Shaw

Caroline Kallquist Shaw, 90, of Kenbridge, Virginia and formerly Springfield, Virginia, died peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025, surrounded by friends and family. Caroline was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Luther Wallace Shaw, Sr., and her son, Luther Wallace Shaw, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Casoni, and her beloved son-in-law Art Casoni. She leaves behind seven grandchildren, Andrew, Wiley, Wesley, Geoffrey, Katherine, Arturo and Christen, and seven great-grandchildren, Alicia, Christopher, Aylin, Angelina, Christian, Antonio, and Abigail.

Caroline’s father, Clarence Kallquist, was a weatherman. He worked for the National Weather Service and as a result, Caroline’s family traveled extensively. Growing up, Caroline lived in Seattle, Wa., Salt Lake City, Ut., New Orleans, La., and Chattanooga, Tn. Wherever they lived, she loved hearing her father’s voice on the radio each night giving the weather report. Sometimes he would announce, “The temperatures are expected to drop later this evening, so be sure to wear your sweater, Caroline.” She said she always got a big kick out of hearing her name on the radio.

Caroline earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and her Master’s in Music from American. She met Luther when she was 21; she was a public school music teacher and he was a history teacher. After six weeks, Luther decided teaching wasn’t for him and became a reporter for the Asheville Citizen. In 1956, they got married, and in 1960, moved to Northern Virginia where Luther got a job on Capital Hill.

Caroline taught everything from third grade strings to college level musicianship. She was the first woman to be hired as a marching band director in Fairfax County and was twice nominated String Teacher of the Year. She loved children, loved teaching, and loved music. She also loved boating, waterskiing, and President Obama.

After the death of her son in 2014 and her husband in 2015, Caroline moved in with her daughter, and they formed a music group: Caroline on piano, Susan on cello, Art on guitar, and Katherine on voice. They provided the music for Loch Lomond Baptist Church in Manassas Park for two years. After moving to Southside Virginia in 2021, Caroline played piano for a number of churches and charitable groups. She especially enjoyed playing background music for a senior citizen fashion show last year in Victoria, Virginia.

Despite facing some formidable challenges and tragedies during her life, Caroline retained a strong sense of faith in God and the goodness of humanity. She read her Daily Bread religiously, and practiced the principles of patience, kindness, tolerance and love, in all her affairs. She was a member of the PRC Tuesday Seniors Cafe, and attended Sunday services at Kenbridge Baptist Church. Caroline was confined to a wheelchair for the last few years of her life, but she did not allow her physical limitations to confine her spirituality; she continued to make friends and encourage others until she died at age 90.

A brief graveside service will be held for Caroline on Wednesday, August 20, at 1 pm at Fairfax Memorial Gardens Park, where she will be buried with her husband.