She was born in Provo, Utah to Lucile Knowlden and Henry Aldous Dixon on August 21, 1916. She had two brothers, John Aldous Dixon (deceased) and David Dixon; and three sisters Louise Larkin (deceased), Dorothy Harrison and Ruth Cannon.
She married John Austin (Jack) Shaw June 4, 1941 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Jack and Phyllis's family include: John (Mary) Shaw, their six children and eight grandchildren; Sandra Davies, her four children and five grandchildren; Kathleen Gambles and her two daughters; Sylvia (John) Bell, their six children and three grandchildren; Erin (Doug) Taggart, their five children and five grandchildren; Anita (Brad) Wiggins and their seven children; and Rosemary (David) Hyde and their four children. Jack and Phyllis's son, Robert Dixon Shaw, died as an infant in 1958. Jack died in 1994.
Once all of their children were in school, Phyllis went back to teaching and taught in the library media center at Horace Mann Elementary in Ogden City Schools for 17 years. Throughout her life, she has generously contributed her time and talents to both community and the LDS Church. She served on the LDS General Sunday School Board and Church writing committee as well as many callings in both ward and stake.
She was awarded Mother of the Year and then later Senior Citizen of the Year for Ogden. She was selected as Utah Mother of the Year in 1984. She served two terms on Ogden City Schools Board of Education. Phyllis was selected by the Freedom Foundation as one of Utah's We Believe in Heroes. She was honored as Storyteller of the Year at Ogden's first annual Storytelling Festival. Phyllis and Jack were the Grand Marshals of the 24th of July Parade in 1980. In 1987, they received the Nurturing Hand Award from the Family Education Center of WSU for their model of excellence in nurturing children in family unity, love, and continuous quest for knowledge.
Phyllis was thankful for so many beautiful flowers received throughout the years and said thanks for sending them while she could enjoy them. Donations may be made to Ogden School Foundation, LDS Perpetual Education Fund, or LDS Missionary Fund.
| Birth: | Aug. 21, 1916 |
| Death: | Aug. 8, 2004 |
 Family links: Spouse: John Austin Shaw (1915 - 1994) Children: Robert Dixon Shaw (1958 - 1959)* *Calculated relationship | |
| Burial: Ogden City Cemetery Ogden Weber County Utah, USA Plot: D-16-14-5E | |