GLENNA &
LAWRENCE SHAPIRO
Dr. and Mrs.
Lawrence J. Shapiro died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at their home in Paradise
Valley, Arizona. Active and vital throughout 51 years of marriage, Glenna and Lawrence
raised three children in the Phoenix area. They shared a passion for helping
others, each serving in numerous charitable and nonprofit organizations and giving
generously of their time and resources to improve the quality of life for all
in their community.
Glenna (Jones)Shapiro was born June 25, 1933, in Chandler, Ariz. The eldest of five children,
she graduated in 1951 from North High School in Phoenix and pursued a teaching
career as a student at Brigham Young University and Arizona State University,
where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of
Arts in education. She taught in the Madison School District. Glenna met the
love of her life on a blind date to an ASU vs. U of A football game.
Lawrence JayShapiro, M.D., was born March 11, 1932, in New York City. The middle of three
children, his family moved to Phoenix after the death of his older sister. He also graduated from North High School. Lawrence
earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1953 at Stanford University, and
graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed
fellowships in pediatrics and gastroenterology with the Universities of
Illinois, Colorado and California (Los Angeles).
Glenna was an
active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving as a
Sunday School instructor, teacher and leader.
In addition to her service to her family and church, she volunteered with
numerous organizations. She served on
the Women’s Board of the Barrow’s Neurological Institute, the Maricopa County
Medical Society Auxiliary, and the Advisory Board for the American Red
Cross. She co-founded the Women’s Board
of the Arizona Kidney Foundation, worked with the Boy Scouts of America, the Kivel
Nursing Home, and Phoenix Social Services and gave financial support to
multiple charitable organizations that serve those in need. In recognition of
her long-term contributions and commitment to her community she was honored by
the Phoenix Advertising Club as the Woman of the Year in 1983.
She served as Executive
Director of the Arizona Kidney Foundation (now the National Kidney Foundation)
from 1987 to 2006. During her tenure she
increased organ donor awareness and improved access to medicines, dialysis, and
transplantation for thousands of Arizonans suffering from kidney disease.
Glenna’s
volunteer and professional passion for helping those in need was paralleled by
Lawrence’s career in medicine. He was beloved
by his patients for his caring and attentive manner, knowledge, and sense of
humor. Lawrence was committed to improving the accessibility and quality of
medical care. He distinguished himself within the Arizona medical community as
a leader in Medicare quality improvement. He founded Health Services Advisory
Group (HSAG), a non-profit organization devoted to improving medical service
delivery through expert peer review and was its Chairman of the Board.
Lawrence served
on the boards of Blue Shield Arizona, the Arizona Medical Association, St.
Joseph’s Hospital, the American Medical Peer Review Association, the American
Health Quality Association, and the Leadership Task Force. He served as president of the Maricopa
Foundation for Medical Care. In 1972 and 1978, Lawrence was awarded
Distinguished Service medals for community service by the Maricopa County
Medical Society. He received the 2004 Laureate Award from the Arizona Chapter
of the American College of Physicians, which recognizes recipients who uphold
“the high ideals and professional standards for which the college is known.”
His knowledge
extended beyond medicine. Together with
his father and brother he assisted in the rebuilding of downtown Phoenix by
developing the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He served for many years as a director of Thunderbird
Bank (now M&I Bank).
Believing that
fine and performing arts greatly enrich the community, the couple supported the
Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, and Phoenix Art Museum. Glenna served for many
years on the Phoenix Symphony Guild and last season led the Opera Ball
committee. Lawrence was a founding member and president of Physicians for the
Phoenix Symphony. They were excited about a lead gift they recently gave to
help fund the new opera home next year.
In 2010 they
established the Glenna & Lawrence Shapiro Family Foundation, a non-profit
Foundation supporting the health, welfare, environmental, and cultural organizations
they loved.
Glenna and Larry enjoyed
cooking, eating, gardening, reading, playing tennis, traveling, hosting
friends, celebrating birthdays and holidays, and spending time with family. At
long last in their 70’s they FINALLY became grandparents. Nana and Boppa received immense joy from
their grandchildren with whom they shared their sense of fun and love of life.
Glenna and
Lawrence are survived by their three children, Susan, David (Anneliese), and
Steven (Tamara); grandchildren, Audrey, 5, Scarlett, 3, Tess, 18 mos., and
Samuel, 2 mos.; and Glenna's siblings, Vernadeen Vetterli (Rick Weber), Marva (Gregg) Stowell,
Thomas (Kathleen) Jones, and Ronald (Gwen)
Jones.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater,
203 West Adams Street, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations to the Glenna & Lawrence Shapiro Family Foundation, 2201 East
Camelback Road Suite 227B, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
