Miriam "Mimi" Oot Shields, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2026, at her daughter's home in Geneva, NY, surrounded by her family.
Mimi was born on April 29, 1931, in Syracuse, NY, to the late Albert and Mable (Houde) Oot. She graduated from Nottingham High School and proudly sang its alma mater until her final days. In 1952, she earned a degree in Home Economics from Syracuse University, where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority.
Mimi married Robert (Bob) Hamlin in 1953. They lived in Aspen, Colorado, before settling in Watertown, NY, where their children, Steve and Sarah, were born. Bob died unexpectedly in 1959.
In 1961, mutual friends introduced Mimi to Frank Shields, a widower and father to Fran. Mimi and Frank shared 56 years as devoted partners. They adopted each other's children and went on to welcome three children together: Anne, Cathy, and Jim.
As Frank pursued his coaching career, the family lived in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts before settling in Geneva, NY, in 1967.
Mimi briefly worked as a substitute teacher in local schools before building most of her career in the dietary department at Geneva General Hospital.
In 1981, the family moved to Canton, NY, where Mimi continued her work in nutrition at the Northern New York WIC Clinic.
Mimi was a devoted partner and an enthusiastic supporter of Frank's work as Alumni Director at St. Lawrence University. Throughout their marriage, she joined him at hundreds of university events, becoming a familiar and welcoming presence to generations of students, alumni, and friends.
In 2002, Mimi and Frank retired to Queensbury, NY. In 2016, they returned to Geneva for their final years.
Mimi enjoyed swimming, golf, and skiing. She loved to knit, garden, and play Bridge. She was a wonderful cook. The St. Lawrence lacrosse teams especially enjoyed her lasagna and blonde brownies, which became favorites over the years.
Mimi was a past co-president of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), Chapter CC in Glens Falls, NY. She transferred her membership to Chapter AK in Geneva, NY, in 2017, proudly continuing to help raise money for scholarships for women.
Mimi and Frank enjoyed multiple trips to Ireland and made several cross-country excursions, but her favorite vacation location was Brantingham Lake, NY.
Mimi is survived by her six children: Stephen Shields; Sarah Shields; Fran (Linda) Shields; Anne (John) Dinan; Cathy (Bill) O'Hara; and Jim (Betsy) Shields. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Patricia, Francis, and Ned Shields; Abigail Dinan; Bridget (Nick) Loper; Erin, Keelin, and Will O'Hara; and Mairead Shields. Her survivors also include her two great-grandchildren, Stephen Afarian and Rose Loper; her sister-in-law, Sarah Oot; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Remembering others from the community
Mimi was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Peter and Paul; her first husband, Robert Hamlin; and her second husband, Frank Shields. She was also predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Teresa (Robert) Groesbeck, Catherine (Stephen) Kralovic, and Elizabeth Blackwood; her nephews, Mark Kralovic and Paul Groesbeck; and her niece, Martha Van Oot.
Honoring Mimi's wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Church, 48 Pulteney Street, Geneva, NY, on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Memorial contributions in Mimi's name may be made to any of the following organizations: • Our Lady of Peace Parish, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva, NY 14456 • P.E.O., Chapter AK, in care of Anne Dinan, 49 S. Morrell Ave., Geneva, NY 14456 • UR Medicine Home Care Foundation, Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627
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