A Washington state history professor and seven-game “Jeopardy!” winner has died following a battle with brain cancer. Courtney Shah was 52 when she passed away on July 22 at her residence, her daughter Maya Shah announced on CaringBridge.
“My mom died today, at 4:57 a.m. on July 22, 2026, in the comfort of her home,” Maya Shah wrote. In her tribute, the daughter said she felt her mother found peace and asked readers to embrace those they care about.
A Career Dedicated to History Education
Dr. Shah spent nearly two decades teaching U.S. and world history courses at Lower Columbia College, located in Longview, Wash. A college spokesperson told the New York Post that Shah made the subject come alive for students in deeply relevant and engaging ways, uplifting the wider community and leaving behind an inspirational legacy.
Local radio station KLOG first reported her death, with confirmation provided by the college. The institution will host a memorial celebration on August 10 between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Rose Center for the Arts, located on campus.
Game Show Success and a Return to the Stage
Shah captured national attention through her “Jeopardy!” run in 2021, winning seven straight games and collecting $118,558 in prize money, according to J! Archive, a fan-run database. Her winning streak ended in her eighth appearance, where she finished second and earned an additional $2,000.
That performance qualified her for the 2022 Tournament of Champions, where she came in third during her quarterfinal round and received $5,000. During her original winning run, Shah recorded a behind-the-scenes video after her fifth victory expressing disbelief at her success, saying she had never expected to reach that point and still wasn’t convinced it was happening.
From Symptoms to Hospice Care
Shah’s illness began in mid-January with numbness and weakness affecting the left side of her face, Maya Shah documented on CaringBridge. The family revealed in February that doctors had found a brain tumor.
By March, Shah discovered that radiation and chemotherapy had proven ineffective. Her daughter described Shah’s choice to discontinue treatment and enter hospice as brave and clear-eyed, with the family standing behind her decision.
Once medical interventions ceased, Shah appeared more at ease, according to her daughter. She took comfort in spending time with family, watching basketball, following Duke University, and shouting out “Jeopardy!” responses faster than everyone else present.
Throughout her illness, Shah shared updates on social media, including a photograph with “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings taken during a show visit. In February, she posted an Instagram selfie after cutting her hair, writing that mobility on her left side remained limited but she felt positive and surrounded by love. She ended the post encouraging followers to tell someone they love them.
During her final months, Shah received hospice care at home. Maya Shah concluded her announcement by suggesting admirers remember her mother in personal ways—sharing stories, lighting a candle, offering a prayer or pouring out a drink. The family’s CaringBridge page, which tracked Shah’s medical journey, has been set to private. What remains, her daughter wrote, is a family committed to continuing their love for a woman taken too early.
