1951
Linnea
2023
Linnea Aileen Bell Shaw
March 29, 1951 — January 16, 2023
Linnea Aileen Bell Shaw was at peace as she returned to her Heavenly Father on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by her family. Linnea was born March 29, 1951, in Seattle, Washington to Wallace and Aileen Koyonen Bell.
She loved her Finnish heritage and enjoyed the rich culture. She spent her childhood in Seattle, graduating from Chief Sealth High School. Linnea attended Central Washington State College and obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education in 1973. She later earned a Masters Degree in Education from Lesley University.
She met her sweetheart, Glen Shaw, during her college days while they were actively serving on a regional Young Single Adult Committee for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married on March 29, 1973, in the Provo Temple and began a wonderful adventure together. Linnea and Glen have touched many lives and blessed everyone around them. Their home was filled with laughter and love as they welcomed each of their five precious children. Linnea loved her family most of all and was their greatest supporter. The memories they made together will never be forgotten.
During Linnea’s college years, current issues caused her to examine what she desired for her life, which ultimately led her to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been her compass since that time. Linnea served in many varied capacities in the church. She especially enjoyed being a Relief Society teacher and working with the youth. She served as president in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. Supporting her husband Glen in his Military Chaplaincy consisted of compassionate work for people of many faiths, and was an important part of her life. Together she and Glen had the privilege of teaching English classes at Nankai University in China through Brigham Young University’s Kennedy Center China Teachers Program from 2014-2016. They also served a Military Relations mission in Okinawa, Japan from 2018-2019. She was an exceptional example and teacher. Through her warm welcoming spirit, she gathered cherished friends everywhere she went.
Linnea had a passion for learning and channeled that passion into her life-long career of teaching young children. She brought joy and excitement to the classroom, and she had a great love for her students and their families. She taught in several schools as her family moved during their military service, and she retired from Prairie View Elementary in Spokane, Washington in 2014
after 26 years of teaching.
She was blessed with many talents, which she enjoyed sharing with her family and friends. She found much delight in the relationships she formed in many circles around the world, most recently with her walking group, book club, and off-roading adventures in the side-by-side with her husband and friends. Linnea made service a priority and was known for her sweet handcrafted watercolor cards, holiday treats, and her kindness to all. She always looked for ways to include others. Linnea enjoyed sewing, crafts, reading, and watercolor painting, but her greatest treasure was her family. She loved to make holidays and events extra special for them. Always looking for the positive, Linnea lived every day to the fullest. Her influence will continue to bless her family and friends, and she will be forever missed.
She is survived by her husband, Glen, of St. George, Utah; children, Ivan (Joanna) Shaw, Ada, Michigan; Mindy Shaw, Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Erin (Ryan) Linford, Gilbert, Arizona; Seth (Rebecca) Shaw, Henderson, Nevada; and Luke (Rachel) Shaw, Argyle, Texas; 14
grandchildren, Wren and Margaux Shaw; Niesa (Logan) Shepard; Jack, Kate and Isla Linford; Hannah, Samuel, Nathan, Ezra, Doris, and Justin Shaw; and Macklin and Myer Shaw; a sister-in-law, Sharon (Brent) MacDonald; as well as nieces and nephews, Chad Willoughby, Tiffany Newsom, April Stephens, and Scott Willoughby.
Linnea was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Aileen Bell; her brother, Alan Bell; nephews, Loren and Jeremy Bell; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She loved her Finnish heritage and enjoyed the rich culture. She spent her childhood in Seattle, graduating from Chief Sealth High School. Linnea attended Central Washington State College and obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education in 1973. She later earned a Masters Degree in Education from Lesley University.
She met her sweetheart, Glen Shaw, during her college days while they were actively serving on a regional Young Single Adult Committee for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married on March 29, 1973, in the Provo Temple and began a wonderful adventure together. Linnea and Glen have touched many lives and blessed everyone around them. Their home was filled with laughter and love as they welcomed each of their five precious children. Linnea loved her family most of all and was their greatest supporter. The memories they made together will never be forgotten.
During Linnea’s college years, current issues caused her to examine what she desired for her life, which ultimately led her to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been her compass since that time. Linnea served in many varied capacities in the church. She especially enjoyed being a Relief Society teacher and working with the youth. She served as president in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. Supporting her husband Glen in his Military Chaplaincy consisted of compassionate work for people of many faiths, and was an important part of her life. Together she and Glen had the privilege of teaching English classes at Nankai University in China through Brigham Young University’s Kennedy Center China Teachers Program from 2014-2016. They also served a Military Relations mission in Okinawa, Japan from 2018-2019. She was an exceptional example and teacher. Through her warm welcoming spirit, she gathered cherished friends everywhere she went.
Linnea had a passion for learning and channeled that passion into her life-long career of teaching young children. She brought joy and excitement to the classroom, and she had a great love for her students and their families. She taught in several schools as her family moved during their military service, and she retired from Prairie View Elementary in Spokane, Washington in 2014
after 26 years of teaching.
She was blessed with many talents, which she enjoyed sharing with her family and friends. She found much delight in the relationships she formed in many circles around the world, most recently with her walking group, book club, and off-roading adventures in the side-by-side with her husband and friends. Linnea made service a priority and was known for her sweet handcrafted watercolor cards, holiday treats, and her kindness to all. She always looked for ways to include others. Linnea enjoyed sewing, crafts, reading, and watercolor painting, but her greatest treasure was her family. She loved to make holidays and events extra special for them. Always looking for the positive, Linnea lived every day to the fullest. Her influence will continue to bless her family and friends, and she will be forever missed.
She is survived by her husband, Glen, of St. George, Utah; children, Ivan (Joanna) Shaw, Ada, Michigan; Mindy Shaw, Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Erin (Ryan) Linford, Gilbert, Arizona; Seth (Rebecca) Shaw, Henderson, Nevada; and Luke (Rachel) Shaw, Argyle, Texas; 14
grandchildren, Wren and Margaux Shaw; Niesa (Logan) Shepard; Jack, Kate and Isla Linford; Hannah, Samuel, Nathan, Ezra, Doris, and Justin Shaw; and Macklin and Myer Shaw; a sister-in-law, Sharon (Brent) MacDonald; as well as nieces and nephews, Chad Willoughby, Tiffany Newsom, April Stephens, and Scott Willoughby.
Linnea was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Aileen Bell; her brother, Alan Bell; nephews, Loren and Jeremy Bell; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Quail Valley Ward Chapel, 1762 S. River Road, St. George, Utah.
Family and friends who are unable to attend are invited to view the funeral service online by clicking on the link below.
Family and friends who are unable to attend are invited to view the funeral service online by clicking on the link below.
Video on Demand
Family and friends may visit on Thursday evening, January 19, at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday morning at the church from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at: www.churchofjesuschrist.org
Family and friends may visit on Thursday evening, January 19, at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday morning at the church from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at: www.churchofjesuschrist.org
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to leave a memory on Linnea’s obituary page at www.spilsburymortuary.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Linnea Aileen Bell Shaw, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Starts at 6:00 pm (Mountain time)
LDS - Quail Valley Ward
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