Marian Adelia Shaw is spending her 80th birthday in heaven with her husband of 61 years, Carl B. Shaw, her son Tim Shaw, and with all of her family that went before. Marian was welcomed into Heaven Tuesday 7/8/14. She was at home in Richland with her family when she died. We know that Marian is in heaven because she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was 9 years old and faithfully shared her faith and served Him the rest of her life.

Marian came to live in Richland, WA after having spent her childhood near Ulen, MN. While working at Yellowstone Park after high school Marian met and married Carl. After their marriage they made their homes in Kansas, Colorado, Pittsburgh PA, back to Colorado where she graduated from the University of Colorado then over the Rockies to the Tri-Cities, Portland and back to the Tri-Cities where they retired and lived until their deaths.

Marian was a natural born leader and teacher who loved children. As a result, one of her careers was as a teacher. She taught in Kennewick, WA from 1968-1978 at Westgate Elementary, 1978-1980 at Hawthorne Elementary and as a substitute for Kennewick, Richland and Liberty Christian schools from 1991-2009. While teaching in Kennewick, Marian had the privilege of serving a term as President of the Kennewick Education Association.

The years of teaching were interrupted from 1980-1990 when Marian and Carl moved to Portland, Oregon, where Marian started a second career. She worked in the OPM for the Army Corp of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management. She greatly enjoyed both jobs. While working in Portland she was a member of the Hinson Baptist Church, Toast Masters where she won numerous awards, and attended some classes at Multnomah School of the Bible. When Carl retired the couple returned to the Tri-Cities.

Because Marian believed that it was her duty and privilege to serve others, she and Carl lead the Prime Timers at the First Baptist Church of Richland for a number of years. They planned and lead many trips, outings and activities for the group. The couple were also very involved and dedicated to the work of the Gideon's International, and belonged to the Tri-Cities South camp where Marian served multiple terms as the President, Secretary or Treasurer for the local Gideon Auxiliary. She greatly enjoyed distributing Gideon Bibles.

Marian spent many thousands of hours as a volunteer answering phones at CONTACT Tele-ministries in the Tri-Cities, she also served as their President for a number of years and received awards for her many hours of service.

Traveling was a passion for Marian. She traveled through the US and many other countries. She made several trips to both Israel and China. She also visited, Sweden, Taiwan, Egypt, England and Scotland. She greatly enjoyed her adventures as well as the lifelong friends she made in some of the countries.

While Marian was busy with career, volunteering and travel, she still devoted much time to her family. She was a wife to Carl died 9/2013 and mother to Brad Teresa Shaw of Cocoa FL, Tim Shaw who lived in Richland until his death in 2004, and Twila Steve Colby of Richland. She was a wonderful and generous grandmother to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Justin Colby his wife Shanlenn and children Alden and Adelia of Beijing China, Rose Shaw of Richland WA, Paul Shaw of College Station TX, Elizabeth, Suzanne, Gordon, and Andrew Shaw of Cocoa FL all had the privilege of calling Marian, "GRANDMA".

Our family would like to sincerely thank Kathryn Panther RN for the years of excellent care that she provided for Marian, the staff at Adult Day Services of the Tri-Cities, and the entire staff at Apple Family Medicine. Without these dedicated people, we would never have been able to have kept Marian at home and we would have missed the blessing of her presence. She gifted us with her beautiful smile every day, even when she didn't feel well. She showered us with her love. She told us that happiness was a choice and everyone that cared for her knew that she had chosen happiness. She will be so very deeply missed.

Please come share your memories of Marian when we celebrate her life. There will be a viewing and visitation at the Einan's Event Center 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA Friday evening 7/11/14, from 5:30 to 8:30pm. The graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens Bypass Highway, Richland will be this coming Saturday 7/12/14, 9 am followed by the funeral at the First Baptist Church of Richland 1107 Wright Ave. Richland, WA 10 am. A lunch will follow.

If you would like to make a donation in Marian's memory, we know that the Gideon's work of distributing Bibles, held a special place in her heart. Donations can be sent to Gideon's Tri-Cities South, PO Box 195, Richland, WA 99352.