Pauline "Polly" Shaw Rich

Pauline “Polly” Shaw Rich, 80, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on January 22, 1945 to the late James Bingham and Edna Alene Heath Shaw. She was the wife of 48 years to Thomas “Tom” Marshall Rich, Jr. who survives.

Polly retired from UNC Greensboro after 30 years in administration. She formerly worked at the University of North Carolina, Elon University and High Point University. She was a member of Brick Reformed Church and was a former choir member at the church. She enjoyed selling Tupperware, shopping, cooking, making homemade pickles and reading. Polly especially enjoyed watching and supporting her children and grandchildren in their sporting events, but most of all she loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas “Tom” Marshall Rich, Jr. of the home; sons, Thomas “Tommy” Marshall Rich III and significant other, Heather Whisnant and Mikel Shaw Rich and wife Crystal; grandchildren, Heath Rich, Blake Rich and Claire Rich; her siblings, Patsy Meacham, Peggy Teague, Jan Cook and husband, Ed Brown, Randall Shaw and wife, Patricia and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harvey Shaw; sister-in-law, Jennie Shaw and brothers-in-law, Bruce Meacham and Norman Cook.

The family would like to thank Bianca Noel for her dedicated care of Polly.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00PM at Brick Reformed Church by Rev. Geoff LaLone and Rev. Randall Shaw. There will be a reception for family and friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to Brick Reformed Church, 3699 Brick Church Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or Authoracare Collective Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.