Donna Mae Shaw-Edsel

Donna Mae Shaw-Edsel, 81 years of age, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at her home in Hayden, Idaho.

Donna was born July 18, 1942, in Kuna, Idaho to the late Joseph and Dorothy Brown. She was the 5th of 6 children, all who preceded her in death. Donna was educated in both Idaho and Oregon and graduated from South Salem High School, Salem, Oregon in 1960. She continued her education at Salem’s School of Practical Nursing in Salem, Oregon and graduated in 1961. She worked at Sacred Heart General Hospital in Eugene, Oregon for the last 29 of her 45 years of nursing. From emergency room to cardiology, she was well versed and knowledgeable in healthcare and had great passion in her field. Additionally, she was part of the team that pioneered the Heart Center that began in 1988 at Sacred Heart General Hospital where she worked as an Echocardiologist for the remainder of her career.

Donna married Elmer Howard Shaw in 1961 and two children were born from this union. Donna married again in 1995 to Raymond Edsel after the passing of her first husband in 1992. Donna and Ray lived in Springfield, Oregon until 2000 and then moved to Central Point, Oregon where they remained for another 18-years.

Donna loved spending time with family, playing games, golfing, woodcarving, camping, fishing and traveling the US as well as the world. She was a collector of many beautiful pieces of art from all over the world.

While Donna lived in Central Point, Oregon she became part of the Central Point Woodcarvers where she was past president and continued to master her craft, she picked up with her second husband, Ray. She went on to teach woodcarving classes and mentored others in the art of woodcarving and woodworking. Donna participated in several fairs, woodworking shows and expos, even winning and receiving awards for her work. She continued with her passion for woodcarving when she moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon in 2018, where she became part of the Friends of the Cottage Grove Carousel group and spent many hours restoring and painting numerous carousel horses, as well and other animals, benches and creating additional artwork for the carousel.

Donna was an avid golfer and loved to golf with her ladies’ group in Central Point, and Grants Pass, Oregon. She competed in several tournaments and placed and came in first in several of their tournaments.  She always proclaimed she was busier in retirement than she was when she was working. Keeping busy with her hobbies and spending time with her family and friends was what made her happy.

In 2021, Donna moved to Hayden, Idaho to be closer and spend more time with her daughter and granddaughters after the passing of her son. She continued her craft of woodcarving with North Idaho Woodcarvers in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She will be deeply missed by friends and family that knew her.

Donna was preceded in death by Elmer Howard Shaw (Husband), Raymond Edsel (Husband), Wayne Howard Shaw (Son), Joseph Edwin Brown (Father), Dorothy Pearl Brown (Mother), Marlin J. Brown (Brother), Jerry L. Brown (Brother), Calvin C. Brown (Brother), Marilynn J. Jones (Sister), Dorothy “Kay” Avenell (Sister).

Donna is survived by her daughter, Theresa Brown (Jeff Brown), Daughter In-Law, Carolyn Shaw, Grandchildren; Tiffani Larson (Rob Larson), Marie Spahn (Jared Baxter), Nicole Jensen (Christopher “CJ” Jensen), Kelly Avesian (Jason Avesian), Great Grandchildren; Mikayla Sweigart and Rylen Baxter, as well as many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held in the spring in Springfield, Oregon, where she will be laid to rest next to her first husband, E. Howard Shaw.