Herald Journal staff report
Kinsey Shaw had a tough 12 years.
Born with a bad heart, she'd had seven open-heart surgeries, as well as seizures and other health problems.
But Kinsey was a fighter, and despite her medical difficulties, she managed to touch the lives of others, including her parents, and her teachers and classmates at White Pine Middle School in Richmond.
Shaw drowned Saturday while swimming with friends at the Smithfield Recreation Center at Sky View High School.
"She was just an amazing child who'd come through more trials than anyone," Kinsey's mother, Cheri Andrus, said shortly after her viewing on Monday night. "In my opinion, it was her time to go. I had heard numerous times from doctors, 'I'm sorry, there's nothing more I can do.' ... She's in a much better place now, I think. No pain. She's happy."
Lt. Chad Jensen of the Cache County Sheriff's Office said Kinsey and her friends were having a contest to see who could hold their breath longest.
"When she didn't come up, her friends notified lifeguards," Jensen said.
Lifeguards, a sheriff's deputy and emergency crews administered CPR to Shaw and were able to keep her alive for a short time.
"She did have a faint heartbeat en route to the hospital," Jensen said.
However, a doctor pronounced Shaw dead at Logan Regional Hospital about 3 p.m. The cause of her death was determined to be accidental drowning.
Andrus said she does not believe Kinsey's prior medical problems were a factor in her death. Although Kinsey had a pacemaker, she was in good health at the time of the accident.
"We checked it regularly, and it was fine," Andrus said.
Andrus said Kinsey had spent the night at a slumber party, and was taken to the pool by one of her friend's parents. Andrus and her husband, Kinsey's stepfather Michael, were in Logan and received a call on their cell phone from police, who said there had been an accident and told them to go to the hospital.
Andrus said it's fitting that Kinsey died amongst playmates, because she was very outgoing.
"She was just an angel, made friends with anyone she came into contact with," she said. "She just loved everyone, and was just so sweet and would give anyone anything."
Andrus said the family is grateful for the efforts of all those who tried to save Kinsey, and for all the love and support from the community.
At White Pine Middle School, where Kinsey was in sixth grade, an announcement was made to the studentbody Monday morning.
"Kinsey was just a very energetic, high-spirited, diligent young lady," said Sandi Cook, who taught Kinsey English, reading and math.
Cook's students spent time Monday writing memorial notes for Kinsey's family. They also began collecting pennies and loose change to buy flowers. Cook, who will be speaking at the funeral today, said Kinsey was always happy and smiling.
"She had many friends here at school who will miss her," Cook said.
Orchestra teacher Richard Kline said Kinsey, who was a first-year orchestra student, enjoyed playing her cello and had been practicing hard to improve.
"She loved playing her cello," Kline said. "She was a very sweet, nice, generous child with a great sense of humor. She will be dearly missed by her classmates."
The sixth-grade orchestra will be playing at Kinsey's funeral at the request of her family. They will be playing pieces they've practiced for an upcoming concert as prelude and interlude music during the ceremony.
"Kinsey really would have dug this," Kline said.
In addition to her love for the cello, Kinsey also loved animals, especially cats, and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.
White Pine Principal Scott Jeppesen said the school's end-of-year video presentation, to be shown during the last week of classes, will include a memorial to Kinsey.
Funeral services for Kinsey will be held at noon today in the Richmond 4th Ward Chapel at 150 S. 100 East. A viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church.
Kinsey Norma Shaw
Kinsey Norma Shaw, 12 yr. old daughter of Mike & Cheri Andrus of Richmond, Utah, and Russell Shaw of Vernal, returned to her Heavenly Father on May 22, 2004, doing what she loved to do- swimming and playing with her friends. She was born Sept. 16, 1991, in Roosevelt. She is survived by one sister, Kelszi Shaw, one brother, Kacey Shaw of Richmond; three step-brothers, Josh, Tyler, and Blake Andrus, Richmond; her grandparents, Norma Shaw, Vernal, Utah; Tod and Cheryle Atwood of Vernal, Utah; Bob & Penny Shaw, Roosevelt, Utah; step-grandmother, Janice Andrus, Richmond; great-grandmothers, Mabel Hardy & Jenny Haslem, Vernal, Utah; and survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.Kinsey loved basketball, playing with her friends, and all animals. She was a very vivacious young lady who made a friend of everyone. She made a lasting impression on all those whom she met. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at noon in Richmond Fourth Ward Chapel, 150 S. 1st East. Friends may call Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the church in Richmond and Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. also at the church. The burial will be Saturday May 29, 2004 at 5 p.m. in the Vernal cemetery. Arrangements are by Webb Funeral Home, Preston, Idaho.