Heaven Hill family matriarch dies at 103

The last member of the generation of the family that founded the Heaven Hill distilled spirits company in 1935 has died.

Anne E. Shapira, 103, died Aug. 6. She was 103.

She was the widow of David Shapira, company co-founder and vice president, and the mother of the late Harry Shapira, former executive vice president of the company, which is based in Bardstown.

Two of her grandsons, Adam and Ian Shapira, are board members.

Anna Shapira was a regular visitor to the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville. her son Harry led the development of both sites.

One of her last public appearances in Bardstown was May 31, when nephew Max Shapira, the company president, introduced her to a large crowd that came forGov. Matt Bevin’s presentation of the Governor’s Health and Safety Award, and his ceremonial signing of the new vintage spirits law sponsored by state Rep. Chad McCoy, R-Bardstown.

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 10:15 AM with the headline "Heaven Hill family matriarch dies at 103."