Community Mourns Nancy Shaw Chochrek

Nancy Shaw Chochrek, who was beloved by her family, friends, and colleagues for her vivacious personality, generosity of spirit, good humor, and searing intelligence, died on September 12, at the age of 63, from metastatic breast cancer.

Born in 1963 to Joan Tart Shaw and Martin M. Shaw, Nancy grew up in Scarsdale, New York, and graduated in 1981 from Scarsdale High School, where she was editor in chief of the yearbook. She graduated from Brown University in 1985 and from Boston College Law School in 1988.
For nearly 12 years, Nancy practiced law in Chicago, first at Lord, Bissell & Brook and then at Smith, Hemmesch, Burke & Brannigan. In 1996, she married James Chochrek, and their three children—Anna, Ella, and Ian—became the center of their world, the heartbeat of their home. In 2000, she and James moved to White Plains, New York, and Nancy launched a long and distinguished career in Scarsdale real estate, following in the footsteps of her mother. For several years, Nancy was a top-selling agent at Julia B. Fee and Houlihan Lawrence. For the past 8 years, she was the manager of the Scarsdale office of Houlihan Lawrence, one of the top-performing real estate offices in all of Westchester County.

Nancy balanced work and family life with aplomb. She was an extraordinarily devoted mother to Ella, Ian, and Anna, who were her pride and joy. No matter how busy her work schedule, Nancy always made their needs and concerns (and Anna’s and Ian’s ice hockey games) her priority. She loved nothing more than the afternoons and evenings she spent at home surrounded by her family as they watched, analyzed, and cheered on the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Cubs.

Nancy had a knack for making and keeping friends from every chapter of her life, and she would keep in touch with them with endless phone calls during her morning walks and daily commute. She was especially devoted to her friends from Camp Walden in Denmark, Maine, where she was arguably the most spirited camper in Walden’s 110-year history.

In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her cherished brother, Daniel, and his husband, Ramon Montala, of Falls Village, Connecticut, and Ridgewood, New York.

On a personal note, I knew both Nancy and her mother Joan Shaw who was also a leading realtor at Julia B. Fee for many years. In fact, Joan spent countless days house hunting with my family and was successful at helping us buy the home we have stayed in for 25 years.

When Nancy became the manager of the Houlihan Lawrence Scarsdale office, we worked together regularly, and she was a big supporter of Scarsdale10583. She was warm, had a good sense of humor and never questioned our editorial independence. I will be forever grateful to both Joan and Nancy for the roles they played in my life in Scarsdale.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held on Thursday September 17 at 2 pm at McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc., 491 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605.

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