Claudia Jane Scoffield Shields

Claudia Jane Scoffield Shields, our sweet wife, mother, and grandma, returned to her heavenly home on March 27, 2025 surrounded by her loving husband and family. Claudia was born almost 90 years ago during an April blizzard in her family home in Union, Utah, the daughter of Frank Harding Scoffield and Vera Luella James. The highlight of her childhood came when her family moved to Kaysville to help her Grandpa Scoffield run his chicken ranch. She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Kaysville Tabernacle when she was eight years old and often talked about that memorable and special day. Her family moved back to Union and there she enjoyed school, friends, and family. She especially loved going to church with her mother and siblings and being taught in Mutual by her mother. Claudia attended Jordan High School, where she was vice-president of the Charlonians, and enjoyed being in the dance club. She was an excellent student and a good friend, staying close to her high school friends throughout her life. Her mother died unexpectedly when Claudia was 16 years old, and we have no doubt there was a sweet reunion in heaven for both of them!

While attending Jordan High, Claudia met Marlin Shields, and there began their great love story of more than 72 years. Their marriage was sealed in the Logan Temple, and she supported Marlin through his studies and athletic endeavors at Utah State University and Stanford, working and growing their family along the way. They built a home in East Millcreek in 1959 and planted their roots there, raising their five children in that home and among dear friends. Claudia’s greatest joy was being a wife and mother and serving her family, and she did it well and precisely, with an abundance of love. Serving others in Christlike ways was her superpower, always serving in quiet and needed ways. She had limitless energy and an uncanny ability to know when someone needed help. As her family grew, her circle of love and devotion grew right along with it, and Grandma and Grandpa’s house became a safe place for all. She loved planning gatherings that would bring her family together, usually around an amazing meal that she had prepared. She and Marlin spent their days supporting their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in whatever events they were engaged in. Their family was always their most important priority, and we always knew that.

Claudia was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and lived her life exemplifying Him. She gave her all in many callings in the Church, serving in various leadership, teaching, and service capacities. She cherished the many years she served alongside her husband as a temple worker in the Salt Lake Temple, as well as the hundreds of patriarchal blessings she typed when Marlin served as Stake Patriarch. She was especially grateful for the time they were able to serve together as missionaries in the England Leeds Mission. They were divinely assigned to the North and South Shields area for the entirety of their mission, and they served the people there with all of their hearts. Claudia thrived as she was able to serve her Savior full time without the usual distractions, and she poured all of her love and energy into people and her missionary service. Her deep influence there is evident in the lasting friendships that have continued to this day. She kept her covenants, spoke often of her love and gratitude for her Savior, and was an emissary for Him in every aspect of her life.

Claudia always appreciated and kept a clean house, was an excellent tole painter, a diligent worker, and a loving and supportive friend. She and Marlin spent their lives investing in memories. There were Bear Lake trips, frequent outings to the Brighton cabin, trips to Lake Powell, many adventures in St. George, family trips to Hawaii and Disneyland, pizzas and the group picture on Halloween, a constant supply of Oreos in the cookie jar, birthday cards for everyone, Christmas stockings and the song “The Friendly Beasts,” and countless hugs and kisses. Our lives were infinitely better with her in it!

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Donna Sainsbury, her brother, James Gardner, and two sons-in-law, Hal Bourne and Steven Wilde. She is survived by her husband and sweetheart, Marlin Shields, her sister, Sandra Musig, her devoted children: Cynthia Bourne, Jayne (Tom) Bushell, Paul (Sandi) Shields, Ann (Scott) Jackson, Kay (Craig) Ward, 20 beloved grandchildren (and their 17 spouses), and 30 precious great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm. A viewing will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pmand from 10:30-11:30 am on the day of services. All services will take place at the East Millcreek North 11th Ward, 2702 E. Evergreen Avenue, Millcreek, Utah. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.