Shawna Lee Olson

Shawna Lee Paul Olson 64, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all returned to her Savior with honor on Monday June 4, 2012. She suffered terminal cancer with courageous grace. Shawna was born March 25, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Sterling and Edith Paul. She Married R. Scott Olson in the Salt Lake Temple on October 21, 1977. They had five children, and spent many good years together before divorcing in 1997. Shawna was a member of West High’s graduating class of 1966. She graduated from LDS Business College with a Clerical Degree. She also attended Brigham Young University for a time. She worked for United Airlines, Murdock Travel, and as a teacher’s aide at Washington Elementary in 2001.
Her most cherished roles were mother and grandmother. She found great fulfilment as a homemaker, and her home was always warm and inviting. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren and loves them with her whole heart. In the last days of her life, she coined the phrase: “Love isn’t big enough a word!” to describe the love she feels for her children and grandchildren. She will be missed more deeply than they can express. Her devotion and love for her children will remain a light to them always!
Her great legacy was the Christ-like love she shared with her whole family and many friends. She was always concerned with the heartaches of all and loved to lift them however she could. She took great pleasure in rejoicing in the blessings and achievements of others. Shawna was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loved attending the temple and humbly served in church callings throughout her life. She had an unshakable testimony of the Savior and His Restored Gospel. Through her life’s trials she came to know the Savior as her truest friend. Prayer was a tremendous strength to her.
Shawna appreciated the arts. She also loved the beautiful creations of the earth, reading, music, traveling, her pets, the Christmas season, and the Utah Jazz. She loved special occasions and activities with her family. Shawna has a character of gentle kindness. Her nature was to be forgiving, and she had a way of seeing and nurturing the best in others. She believed in the power of hope and the healing of forgiveness. She tried always to look at the positives of life. She laughed easily and found great joy even in times of challenge. Each day she counted her blessings.
Shawna is survived by her five children; Natalie (Eric) Stromberg Tim (Marisa) Olson Holly (Scott) Bird, Dan (Brittany) Olson, and Alison Olson, 4 grandchildren who brought “pure joy” to her life; her two sister’s; Susan (Steve) Olson, Bonnie (Dan) Judd, one sister in law; Nila Paul, and numerous other cherished family members. Shawna was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gary Paul, and many other loved family members with whom she has now had a joyous heavenly celebration. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday June 8, 2012 at the Bountiful Thirtieth Ward, 600 East 2150 South, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held on Thursday June 7, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p. m. at the Russon Brother’s Mortuary, 295 North Main Street Bountiful, Utah. And also from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Bountiful Thirtieth Ward prior to services. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, through their website, www.nami.org.
Interment-Lakeview Memorial Cemetery 1640 East Lakeview Drive Bountiful, Utah. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.