Mr Ian Shaw

With the deepest sadness, we report that our beloved elder Ian Shaw passed away on the 3^rd March.

Ian was born on the 1^st December 1940 in Salsburgh, the oldest of 4 sons.  He met his wife, Elizabeth, when he was 19, and they were married in 1965 in the Airdrie RP Church to which Elizabeth belonged. They had two daughters and then four grandchildren.

Ian left school at the age 16 to start work in a laboratory in a local company. He stayed there for six years until he moved to work in the Local Authority as a chemist, and from there he progressed through the ranks, eventually attaining the position of Assistant Director of Operations in the Water department of the old Strathclyde Regional Council.

Ian enjoyed travelling, golf, gardening, and spending time with his family.  He also was a full-time carer for his wife for over 10 years as her health deteriorated before her death.  He was a wonderful example of a selfless and loving husband. 

Ian was baptised and became a member of our congregation in April 1965. He was ordained as an elder in August 1974, spending 51 years on Session.

Ian was an example of godliness and true Christian joy. Many in the congregation will  remember his warm welcoming spirit, his loving pastoral counsel, and his commitment to Christ and His Church. Ian was an encourager, and we will really miss his loving attitude of getting alongside us.  Those who have contacted us after his passing reflected on many of his qualities, but he is remembered most for his warmth in welcoming strangers to the church and how he interacted thoughtfully and joyfully with the young people.

Ian served in so many ways throughout his time in Airdrie, as Sabbath School Superintendent, Preses of the congregation, Precentor, Treasurer, and Elder. He wrote a history of the congregation for the 175th Anniversary. But of course, much of his service was also quiet and behind the scenes where he would just get on with what needed to be done, with no complaints.

He was committed to the work of Presbytery, being an interim elder at various times in our congregations in Glasgow, Wishaw, and North Edinburgh, and was Presbytery treasurer for decades. He was always seeking to foster peace without compromising his principles.

Ian was a tremendously hard worker for the Kingdom of Christ, even at 85 years of age he was still distributing leaflets and doing other physical tasks. We are reminded of Caleb, who at 85 could say, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.” For Ian, to live was Christ and to die is gain.

As a Session, we recognise that we have lost a fellow-labourer, one who took a large share of Session and diaconal business. We commit ourselves to the care of the Chief Shepherd to protect and provide for us, and to answer our prayers, indeed prayers that Ian himself often prayed, for men for leadership.