17 Oct 1923 – 23 Feb 2008
Daughter of William and Ida Apblanalp
Wife of Richard Joshua Shaw
Ida Marion Abplanalp Shaw, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, in Logan.
Marion was born in Ogden, Utah, on Oct. 17, 1923, and graduated from Ogden High in 1941. Her most important life’s work was as a supportive and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Her education at Weber College was interrupted by World War II, during which she was a secretary at the Ogden Quartermaster Depot for two years. She then returned and graduated from Weber College in 1945 and then completed her B.S. degree in biology and education from the University of Utah in 1947. During her schooling she worked as a curatorial assistant at the herbarium at the UofU and then from 1947-48 at the herbarium at USU. She also served as a secretary at the USDA from 1962-63.
Marion married her soulmate, Richard J. Shaw, on June 27, 1947, in the LDS Temple. They were a devoted and inseparable couple that had more than 60 wonderful years together. Her education in biology was very useful since Richard was a botany professor at USU. They spent 30 summers and many subsequent vacations in Grand Teton National Park where Richard worked as a seasonal naturalist and Marion spent many hours fishing, painting and hiking. They and their children took hundreds of field trips during which they studied plants and wildflowers. Marion spent numerous hours typing, proofreading and editing several of his many publications. During the last several months she edited the latest edition of “Plants and Wildflowers of Yellowstone,” which has been a favorite of park visitors for many years.
In addition to being a skilled fisherwoman, Marion enjoyed hiking, reading, creating stained-glass artwork, gardening, swimming in String Lake, and especially grandparenting. Her children and grandchildren enjoyed many sunny afternoons taking hikes to favorite spots like String and Leigh lakes in the Tetons.
Marion was a happy and loving soul who greeted everyone she met with a warm smile and kind words. Her compassion and service the last several years as she took care of her husband, Richard, was a wonderful example of love and devotion. We will miss her kindness and humor. She was a member of the LDS Church and served many years in various capacities and was known for her caring heart. She was a member of the Faculty Women’s League of USU and she and Richard have many wonderful friends who have supported them through times of illness.
Marion is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard J. Shaw of Logan; and three children, Richard (Sarah) Shaw of Aspen, Colo., Margaret (Brent) Mortensen of Logan and Sandra (Todd) Hugie of Nibley. She is also survived by 11 beautiful grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her loving sister, Phyllis Chatwin of Salt Lake City. She was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth C. Abplanalp of Salt Lake; and her parents, Ida and William Abplanalp.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at noon Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 W. Center St., Logan, with Bishop Tom Lee conducting. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net. Donations in her memory may be made to the Grand Teton Association, PO Box 170, Moose, WY 83012 (http://www.grandtetonpark.org).
Published in the Logan Herald Journal from 2/25/2008 – 3/3/2008.