Ida Marion Abplanalp Shaw

Ida Marion Abplanalp Shaw, 84, passed away peacefully February 23, 2008 in Logan. Marion was born in Ogden, Utah, October 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. She worked as a curatorial assistant at the herbarium at the U of U and then in 1947-48 at the herbarium at USU. She also served as a secretary at the USDA from 1962-63.


Marion married her soul mate Richard J. Shaw June 27, 1947 in the LDS Temple. They were a devoted and inseparable couple that had over 60 wonderful years together. Her education in biology 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 wild flowers. 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 fisher woman , Marion enjoyed hiking, reading, creating stained glass artwork, gardening, swimming in String lake, and especially grand parenting. 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 that have supported them thru times of illness.
Marion is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard J. Shaw of Logan, three children Richard (Sarah) Shaw of Aspen, Colorado, Margaret (Brent) Mortensen of Logan, and Sandra (Todd) Hugie of Nibley. She is also survived by 11 beautiful grandchildren and 3 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 parent Ida and William Abplanalp.

A service to celebrate her life will be held Wednesday, February 27th at noon at the Allen-Hall Mortuary at 34 West Center Street in Logan. There will be a viewing from 6-8 pm on Tuesday February 26th and from 11-11:45 am on the 27th. 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 Grand Teton Association at PO Box 170, Moose Wyoming, 83012. http://www.grandtetonpark.org .