Beulah Bo Shields

1927 - 2018

Beulah "Bo" Shields
1927 ~ 2018
Beulah Marguerite "Bo" Shields returned to the gentle care of our Lord on May 2, 2018. Bo was born to DeWalt and Marguerite Renshaw on February 9, 1927. At the tender age of four, she moved with her parents and her older brother, Dee, from California to Kamiah, Idaho where they lived with her Grandma Renshaw. It was the beginning of the Great Depression but Bo's memories of that time were bright. The house was later opened to the public as a bed and breakfast known as The House of Renshaw and was on the historic registry in Kamiah. Bo was so proud to visit as an adult and see her family name displayed by the front door.
Bo moved with her family to Orofino, Idaho in 1936. There, Bo found her love of music and became a magnificent classical pianist. Every week she would ride the "Galloping Goose", a pet name for the small passenger train that used to run between Orofino and Lewiston, for piano lessons. By her senior year she had performed at several public musical events in Lewiston and was well on her way to becoming a concert pianist. Music wasn't her only love, though. She was also very active in sports. She lettered in basketball and was the pitcher for the girls' baseball team. She had a wicked fastball. She was the high school marching band's majorette, a petite beauty with thick raven hair and serious gray eyes. And she loved to jitterbug to big band jazz. Bo's love of music and her piano skills eventually led to her meeting Bill Shields when he was asked to deliver sheet music to her home. He swept her off her feet and they were wed in 1947. Bo taught many Orofino children how to play piano and from 1965 to 1971 was also a teacher's aide at Orofino Elementary.
Bo and Bill moved to Boise, Idaho in the summer of 1971. The next year, Bo began her career at the Idaho State Disability Determination Unit ("DDU") and through hard work and extensive study, guided her career from entry-level Secretary to Senior Manager. In 1983 she was sent to the Honolulu DDU branch for two months to provide training to their adjudicators and managers. They tried to keep her permanently but she chose to return to her beautiful Idaho. Those memories brought her great pride and joy.
Bo and Bill enjoyed an active life camping, taking extensive RV road trips, going on cruises, and enjoying lots of gatherings at home—always with music and laughter, and usually a rollicking game of cards. At cards, Bo had a definite competitive streak. Her sharp mind and keen strategy didn't miss a trick. She usually belonged to at least one Bridge Club, often two or three. She was also quite a shark at Cribbage. When her family was younger, she was especially competitive when it came to family rounds of Crazy 8's and Spoons. Bo loved flowers and always had a beautiful garden bursting with color. She loved to watch the birds that nested in the many birdhouses made by her husband, always displayed on her back patio. She will forever be remembered in a beautiful piano riff, a spray of colorful flowers, a small bird peeking from a nest, or the crack of a baseball bat. We were so blessed to love and be loved by her.
Bo is survived by her children, Steve Shields, Jeff (Sandy) Shields, Peggy Johnson, and Jana Shields; grandchildren Chris (Rachel) Shields, Ryan Johnson, Matt Shields, and Zach Shields; great grandchildren Kaylob Shields, Rowan Johnson, Jack Shields, Ellia Johnson and Micah Johnson; sister-in-law Dorothy Romig, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by Bill, her loving husband of 52 years; and her brother, Dee.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Morning Star Senior Living Center who became such an important part of Bo's life through their kindness, gentle care, and never ending humor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Morning Star Employee Fund, 5850 N Five Mile Road, Boise ID 83713.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the Morning Star Senior Living Center, 5850 N Five Mile Road, Boise ID. Parking is limited. Friends are welcome to park in the church lot adjacent to Morning Star.
A visitation will be at Cloverdale Funeral Home on Saturday, May 5. 2018 at 2:00 PM.