Maryan was born the daughter of Alexander and Winona Stewart on October 28, 1923 in Rockport, Texas. Maryan's professional and community service was very important to her; she believed strongly in giving back to others. In the late 1940's to early 1950's Maryan owned and operated San Diego's largest ballroom dance studio, Maryan's Dance Studios. In 1953 Maryan organized "Thanx", a national movement to send packages to the troops during the Korean War & subsequently was a recipient of special VFW awards presented by Bob Hope and Medal of Honor winner General William Dean. In 1958 and 1962 Maryan managed the successful Edmund G. Brown gubernatorial campaigns in San Diego, California.

Maryan was a syndicated columnist for the El Cajon Valley News and was Editor for the San Diego Evening Tribune. Among other notable accomplishments Maryan was campaign manager for Nelson Rockefeller in the famous 1964 California Republican Primary against Barry Goldwater. Maryan returned to her Texas roots in 1964 where she was with the promotion & national advertising departments of the Houston Post.

Maryan owned and operated two highly successful flower shops in southwest Houston, Lord's Florist and Alief Florist. Maryan was an extremely accomplished artist whose favorite medium was landscapes in oil. She loved animals and in particular her cats Sir Duke & Myko and was active in the ASPCA. Maryan was preceded in death by her brother Johnny Stewart and her sister Gertrude Stewart.

Maryan is survived by her sisters Theresa Hemmi and husband Urban, Sister Rose Stewart, and Marge Rhem ; her brothers Alex Stewart and wife Margaret, J.D. Stewart and wife Laura; her four children, Michael Shaw and wife Susan, Carleton G. (Gary) Shaw and wife Leslie, Mark C. Shaw, Maryan Tinney and husband JB; her ten grandchildren Michele Varav and husband Kal, Eric Shaw and wife Carolyn, Cassandra Wright and husband Eric, Maryan Christy Maloy and husband David, Michael Shaw and wife Lisa, Bree Shaw Stone and husband Mac, Cody Jo Tinney, Victoria Shaw, Alexis Shaw and Stewart Shaw; and her fourteen great grandchildren, Kailen Varav, Kristof Varav, Britney Shaw, Breanna Shaw, Dillon Shaw, Alexia Shaw, Colton Maloy, Maryan Bailey Maloy, Tessa Maloy, Olivia Shaw, Dalton Shaw, James Martin, Valerie Martin, and Jonathan Stone.

Funeral Mass Service: 1 pm, Sunday, July 10, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church near Hallettsville, Texas. Visitation: 6 pm, Saturday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Saturday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. Charles Sonnier. Pallbearers: Michael Shaw II, JB Tinne, Gary Shaw, Mark Shaw, Eric Shaw, Mike Shaw, Eric Wright, and Darb Stewart. Memorials: In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Maryan's name be directed to the ASPCA. Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

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