Barbara Shaw-Hadden

Barbara Shaw-Hadden

Barbara Shaw-Hadden, 71, passed away peacefully at Mat-Su Regional Hospital on Dec. 6, 2020 from complications of an autoimmune disease.

Barbara was born in Chicago, Illinois.

She came to Alaska in 1972 where she enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping and snowmobiling, and lately… shopping at Kohl’s, lol.

She worked as a bookkeeper and then as a recorder at the State Recorder’s office in Palmer, retiring in 2012.

In 2004, Barbara married Martin Hadden and found unconditional love and companionship.

Barb’s love for her family, generosity and kind heart was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Barb’s friends and family wrote, “She was such a free spirit. I will always remember her laugh and her love of animals.”

Barbara’s love for all creatures knew no bounds. Several stray cats and dogs benefited from her kindness over the years. Her bird feeders were never empty. Hundreds of birds would visit outside her window everyday. A week before she passed a small owl visited, perhaps to call Barbara to a place free of worldly pain and suffering.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Martin Hadden, of Palmer; her daughter, Michele Newman, of Wasilla and grandchildren Breyonna and Brendon; her son, Art Newman, and his wife, Kwangcha, of Wasilla; her brothers Andy Shaw of Big Lake, Gregory Shaw of San Clemente California; and her sister, Dorthy Marrs, of Flossmoon Illinois.