Hallmark Actress Paula Shaw Dies Peacefully at 84

Hallmark Actress Paula Shaw Dies Peacefully at 84

Actress Paula Shaw, beloved for her roles in dozens of Hallmark projects, has passed away at the age of 84. According to an announcement on her official website, The Max, Shaw died peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce Paula passed away peacefully… Paula touched countless lives through The MAX, the Mastery, and her transformational work. Her legacy lives on in the communities she created and the lives she changed,” the message read. The website also invited friends and family to share memories on a dedicated memorial page.

Shaw’s career began on the stage with a role in Gus Weill’s Geese before she joined The Actors Studio and the improv group Synergy Trust, which launched her into television and film. By her 30s, she was appearing in classic series including Three’s Company, The Bob Newhart Show, Starsky & Hutch, and Little House on the Prairie.

Her film career included starring opposite Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In 2003, Shaw stepped into horror history when she replaced Betsy Palmer as Jason Voorhees’ mother in Freddy vs. Jason.

However, she became most recognized for her recurring presence in Hallmark holiday films and as Charlotte Jeffers in the series Cedar Cove, where her warmth and charisma resonated with audiences.

Paula Shaw is survived by her sister Greta, brother-in-law Gary, nephew Nicholas, and godchildren Marissa and David. Memorial service details will be announced on her website.