Shawn Marie Howe, 56, born November 30, 1956 died January 29, 2013. Shawn will be remembered for her high energy, wit, intelligence, compassion, grace, and courage. She was a person who always gave of herself to help others through her love as a wife, mother, daughter, nurse, teacher, healer, and friend.

Born in Portland, Shawn attended Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego where she distinguished herself as a gifted student who was active in music, Young Life, and student government. She received Lakeridge’s Super Pacer award as the outstanding graduating senior girl (1975).

Following her passion to be in medicine, Shawn went to Oregon State University for two years of pre-nursing where she also enjoyed being a live-in member of the Delta-Delta-Delta sorority. She subsequently attended the University of Oregon (OHSU) School of Nursing, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree in 1980.

Shawn then embarked on a 20-year nursing career. As a gifted nurse, she worked with patients on medical/surgical units at Tualatin and Meridian Park hospitals, and the neonatal intensive care unit at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. In addition, she was a urology and family practice nurse in two different clinics, and also a medical case manager facilitating medical treatment for injured workers. Drawing upon her traditional nursing background and BSN degree, coupled with a belief in the value of holistic, complementary methodologies, and her intuitive skills, Shawn opened a natural health practice for women in 2000. To care for her clients, she became a Master Herbalist, a Reiki Master/Teacher, and a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Shawn’s knowledge and skills as a healer allowed her clients to achieve much better health and wellness. Because of her professional dedication to the healing practices, Shawn served as a Board Member of the Australasian College of Health Sciences, and was Vice President of the NW Reiki Association where she created a training manual to teach spouses of cancer patients how to do Reiki for their pain relief and stress reduction.

Shawn was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister who put her family first. She enjoyed sharing her Greek heritage with others, including its music, dance, and food. She loved living on her 40-acre farm, tending to a menagerie of animals including dogs and cats, sheep, llamas, horses, goats and chickens, plus enjoying the assortment of birds, rabbits, squirrels, deer, and occasional fox that abounded on the property. Shawn was an avid reader, quilter, scrap booker, gardener, blogger and gifted writer with two self-published books. In addition, she loved music (played guitar and piano), had a knack for working with tools, and really enjoyed helping construct her natural health practice studio and craft shop space.

On January 29th Shawn passed away. She dealt with her uterine leiomyosarcoma cancer as a journey and openly blogged about it- always having a positive approach, even at the end. Family, friends, and acquaintances, were inspired by her thoughts and words and expressed their love and admiration for her. She asked to be remembered as someone who walked her walk and whose motto was “to always take the path less taken”, whose spirit remained unbroken, and whose humor made many a day brighter. Shawn believed that “a great healer does not work alone; a great angel is always by her side.” From her new place, she will certainly continue to help other healers and be with us all.

At her request, no service will be held. Instead, her ashes will be spread in the winds over the farm she so dearly loved.

A Celebration of Life party will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, it is her wish that remembrances be made to Oregon Humane Society or NW Reiki Association.

Facts Born: November 30, 1956
Death: January 29, 2013

Survived By David Howe, Spouse
Rebecca Howe, Daughter
Char Rawlinson, Mother
Brad (Heidi) Pihas, Brother
3 Nephews and 1 Niece Preceded in Death By John Pihas, Father