Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Shawn Nyman Memorial
Shawn Nyman Memorial

Shawn Nyman

Shawn Nyman

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Shawn was Born Feb. 13, 1961 at Matthews General Hospital in Burlington, WA to Bruce F. Miller and Cherie J. Miller (Van Sickle) and went to be with her heavenly father November 8, 2012. When Shawn was born she was greeted by a sister Susan and a brother Greg.
Shawn spent a large portion of her childhood playing on the beach at Samish Island. She loved the beach and the sun. Shawn went to Edison Elementary, eventually moving to Alaska with her parents and landing back in WA, graduating in 1979 from Auburn High School. After high school, Shawn eventually moved back to Burlington to raise her 3 sons, Jacob P. Nyman, now residing in Seattle, Joseph B. Nyman, now residing in Tacoma and Jeremiah T. Nyman, now residing in Bellingham. All 3 of her boys were students at Burlington-Edison High School. Shawn loved doing activities with her sons and became the first female president of the youth football league in Burlington, helping give the team its first name and identity, the Bengals.
Shawn went on to complete courses in law at Skagit Valley CC and finally earned a degree from the University of Southern Colorado as a Paralegal. She began her career at Stiles Law Firm in Sedro-Woolley, then moving to the Skagit County Court House and on to Brett & Daughert Law Offices in Bellingham. After a number of years with them, she was hired as an executive paralegal at the firm of Nelson Langer Engle in Seattle. She specialized in brain trauma and worked in the legal field for nearly 25 years.
Shawn loved helping people, especially those who had a good heart but were down on their luck. She provided legal counsel on the streets of Bellingham as a volunteer for several years helping the homeless and poverty stricken. She always enjoyed the chance to give the homeless a few bucks, a coat or a pair of shoes. She always said it made her day. Her nickname became “Sunshine” because of her positive outlook on life and her radiant smile. She loved to brighten up the day of anyone that would return a smile or friendly gesture. She always hoped to make a difference in someone’s life day by day. She amazingly accomplished this goal in her short 51 years. One thing people always said is that you just can’t help but love her.
Though she loved her job and was exceptionally good at it, it did not compare to how much she loved her 3 sons. From family vacations in sunny destinations, to camping, hiking, scavenger hunts, made-up games and holiday parties, Shawn was always up for a good time. She could be laughing and joking with a crowd of people and the next moment having an intimate face to face conversation. She had a knack for getting people together and acquiring long-time friends. All the love she had to share could not go without recognizing her love for animals, especially cats. She loved her antiques, muscle cars, blue beach glass, big hair, bright colors, pointy shoes, red lipstick, a good burger, and spending time with friends.
Shawn was a loved mother, daughter, sister, nanna, auntie and wonderful friend. She fought extremely hard for nearly 2 years battling cancer and was able to spend a lot more time with all of the people she loved over the course of that time. She left this earth in peace, surrounded by her 3 sons, just as she wanted.
Shawn is survived by her 3 sons, Jacob and his wife Pamela with their daughters, Laila and Mira, Joseph and his wife Sabrina Loucks with their son Joseph Jr. and daughter Persayus, and Jeremiah and his partner Katreana and his daughter Valerie. She is also survived by her mother, Cherie Miller Freeman and her husband Maurice “Bud” Freeman; Her brother, Greg Miller and his wife Teresa and their 4 children, Jennifer Johnson and Luke, Beth and Debra Miller. Her sister Susan’s children, Dustin DeVries, Devon DeVries and Darby DeVries and by her aunts, Winnie Martin and Gladys Lee.
She was buried at Green Hills Cemetery in Burlington, WA, the city of her birth, on November 14, 2012. She has passed from this life into the open arms of God and we find joy in knowing that she is with her father and sister who went before her and is having a party in heaven with them this day.

Guestbook

  • Michael Ellis

    I had the honor of being Shawn aka Sunshine’s closest friend recently and I have to tell you no one has ever touched my life like Shawn touched my life. I love her and shall always. Walking down the sidewalk or anywhere with Shawn made me feel like the privileged man in the world. I dearly miss her and she profoundly changed my views on this world and on God’s plan and for that, I thank her. May God bless her three great sons and family.

  • Nadine (Moen) Simpson

    I am so sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you, Cherie. Her picture depicts a lovely and caring person and I know she will be missed by many. You and your family have been in my thoughts and my prayers. Take care of yourself. Nadine

  • Jeri Lowry (Earley)

    I had the pleasure of working with Shawn at a time in my life when everything was unside down. Shawn helped me to move through the grief over my mother’s death and see that no matter what the circumstances, there is always something to smile about. One of my biggest regrets is that she and I lost touch over the last few years as our lives moved in different directions. I don’t know if you remeber me Jake, from the softball tournement in Sumas, but if so please know that my heart and prayers are with you, you Mom will be missed. Jeri Lynn

  • Chelsey Olsen

    I am so sorry for your mother’s loss. I went to school with Jeremiah, formerly Chelsey Nelson. I haven’t seen or talked to him for almost 15 years, but had a dream about him last night and couldn’t stop wondering where life took him…so I googled him and this is what I found. I think God works in mysterious ways because I too lost my mom to cancer, at the end of July. My two sisters and I still struggle with her passing, but it slowly gets better. You find more comfort in happy memories and cry a little less each day. My mother was an inspiration, as was yours and we should feel grateful they are out of pain now and at peace. My heart and prayers go to your family. Please let Jeremiah know old friends from LU send their love and wish the best for your family. You can be assured our mothers will meet in heaven. My mom was the director of the humane society and I imagine she is in heaven adopting a cat to your mother as I write this.