Dr. Jennifer Shay, the daughter of Frank and Kathleen Walker, was born on March 27, 1930, in Hull, England. Dr. Shay was interested in natural history at a young age, discovering her passion for biology on high school field trips to Flatford Mill Field Centre. Upon graduation from Newland High School in 1948, Dr. Shay attended London University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in 1952. She immediately accepted a position at the Flatford Mill Field Centre in Suffolk; however, due to a desire to expand her experience, she moved to Canada in 1957 where she worked as a research associate at the University of Manitoba (U of M). At the U of M, Dr. Shay completed her Masters of Science in 1959 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Science in 1964, while lecturing for the Department of Botany. She became an assistant professor in 1965 and was promoted to associate professor in 1967 and a full professor in 1975. Although Dr. Shay retired from the U of M in 1993, she stayed on as a Senior Scholar and was awarded the title Professor Emerita in 1995.

In 1966, she was appointed founding director of the University Field Station at Delta Marsh (now Delta Marsh Field Station), a position she held until 1986. In addition, she fulfilled a joint appointment in the Departments of Landscape Architecture and Botany from 1975 to 1986 and again from 1989 to 1993.

The significance of Dr. Shay's academic career as both a student and a professor is illustrated by her long list of awards and distinctions. These include the Shikar-safari Conservation Award, 1970; Life-time membership to the Manitoba Naturalist Society, 1976; Canadian Nature Federation Douglas Pimlott Conservation Award, 1979; Manitoba Naturalist Society Ernest Thompson Seaton Distinguished Naturalist Award, 1982; Honorary life-time membership to the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, 1982; Canadian Botanical Association Distinguished Service Award, 1984; Peter D. Curry Chancellor's Award, 1987; Member of the Order of Canada, 1988; Honorary life-time membership to the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects, 1990; University of Manitoba Outreach Award, 1990; University of Manitoba H.H. Saunderson Teaching Award, 1992; Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society J.B. Harkin Medal, 1992; Manitoba Eco-network Environmental Award, 1993; Honorary Member of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 1994; Canadian Healthy Environment Award for Lifetime Achievement, 1996; YWCA Woman of Distinction, 1997; and, Officer of the Order of Canada, 2001. In addition, she headed and was a member of various boards and councils throughout her life.

Shay passed away on May 7, 2018 at age 88.