Elaine T. Shaw

Elaine was born in Murray, Utah at her family home on April 8,1929 to parents Edgar Silas Thompson and Grace Mattie Elizabeth Shepherd. She peacefully passed away in Nephi, Utah on June 5 at the age of 96.

As a young girl, Elaine contributed to the family business of raising hundreds of laying chickens in the large coops behind their home. She loved telling stories to the chickens and worked alongside her mother and siblings to clean and sort eggs into large wooden crates, each holding 12 dozen, which were later delivered to grocery stores for retail sale. Elaine often watched her father hitch his team of workhorses, Maude and Belle, to a wagon loaded with roadbase and tools to help maintain the streets of Murray City. She cherished visiting family, especially childhood trips to Levan, Utah, where she spent time at her grandparents’ home. She loved visiting her grandfather’s store, the “Shepherd Mercantile,” on Main Street in Levan.

She graduated from Jordan High School in 1947. Her closest childhood friends included her sister Faye, Wilma Thompson, Arlene Erekson, and many others.

Elaine married Clyde Nielsen Shaw on September 3, 1951, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Temple. Clyde passed away on July 3, 1979. Elaine later married Robert A. Thurman.

Elaine and Clyde had three children: Cory Clyde Shaw (Vickie), Shauna Forrest (Fenton), and Tamara Marie Powell (Scott). She was a proud grandmother to Shawn Thomas, Carlie Larsen (Trent), Tori Pack (Jeff), Ashley Szocinski (Bryan), Kianna Maughan (Bryce), Rawlin Powell (Stephanie), Austin Powell, Paige Preece (Sean), and Rachel Brennen (Armand Sanchez). Her legacy includes 25 great-grandchildren.

Her many interests included salmon fishing, camping, boating, international travel, water skiing, snow skiing, synchronized swimming, dancing, laughing and having fun, sewing, crafting, making baby blankets, crocheting scarves, knitting hats for newborns, creating custom handmade birthday cards, scrapbooking, making holidays magical, singing soprano, playing the piano and organ, gardening, and enjoying her family.

She was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and served in many callings, including ward chorister. She also volunteered as PTA President while her children were in school.

Elaine dearly loved her spouses, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Clyde Nielsen Shaw and Robert A. Thurman; her twin brother, Blaine Thompson; sister, Faye Black; brother, Lynn Thompson; sister-in-law, Wilma Thompson; both parents; and her great-grandson, Brenton Larsen.

The family would like to thank Laurel Groves Assisted Living in Nephi, Utah, and all of the staff for their loving care over the past five years. Special thanks also to Rasmussen Mortuary for their compassionate support and service.

Private services and interment were held at Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City, Utah, on June 12, 2025.