Jaimi Shaw Blackham Sowby
1977 – 2026
Jaimi Shaw Blackham Sowby
Jaimi Shaw Blackham Sowby passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026 due to lingering health conditions brought on by brain cancer (Glioblastoma). She was born on April 6, 1977 (a birthdate she shared with her Dad) in Seattle, Washington, to Col. Benjamin T. Blackham and Sally Elizabeth Briggs Blackham.
In her first 18 years of life, Jaimi’s family moved around the world with their Dad serving as a dentist in the United States Air Force, which included attending four different high schools in four years! She graduated from Bitburg High School in Germany.
After many years of packing, moving, and joyful traveling, Jaimi selected Brigham Young University for higher education and completed a Bachelor of Art Degree in French Literature in 2000. She continued her higher education with a Master’s Degree in Education at University of Phoenix, graduating in 2003, which supported her passion for teaching and mentoring children.
Jaimi loved learning and the process of teaching – her time spent as a teacher afforded her meaningful opportunities to develop the children in her classrooms, connect and support their parents, and build friendships with other teachers and administrators. She spent countless hours carefully documenting the ongoing progress of her students over the course of the year, producing beautiful scrapbooks at the conclusion of the year to help her students recognize their own success and feel more confident as they approached their next year of school. She wrote her own units and shared numerous creative ideas with colleagues. Jaimi was a life-long learner and loved to take continuing education classes to increase her teaching abilities, and she was a well-respected professional.
Jaimi and Jacob
She was married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to Jacob M. Sowby on August 1, 2003 and has been a supportive, loving wife. Together they strengthened each other and built a home based on faith in Jesus Christ, fun, and hard work. They cheered each other’s successes and lifted each other when they confronted difficult days. They loved and cherished each other and Kyli and Asher. Often Jaimi would say that she loved her children “to the moon and back.” And they love her just as much today as they did on any other of their lives.
Jaimi loves Jesus Christ. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where all of her favorite opportunities to serve were within the Primary organization (especially Nursery), sharing her love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children. While she faithfully served in many ways within the Church, her heart was happiest when she was surrounded by littles.
She was dedicated to her family and thoughtfully cared for her children, her extended family of siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and more. She was a terrific cook and loved to share her creations with those around her. Jaimi was a dedicated homemaker in creating an environment that invited a peaceful, loving spirit for her family, while also joyfully celebrating holidays – it is truly a blessing to be in the Sowby home for all of the goodness she brings and anyone who visits ends up staying for a treat and long conversations.
Jaimi’s selection of literature for her academic pursuits was perfect for her, as she loved the value of a well-written and perfectly illustrated story. Her personal collection of childrens books and young adult fiction stories rival many school libraries – and she loved to select the perfect books to give as a treasured gifts. And, oh, did she give away a lot of books!
She is survived by her loving husband, Jacob Sowby and their beautiful children, Kyli Shaw (15) and Asher Mark (10); as well as her parents, Ben and Sally Blackham, and mother-in-law, Dana Sowby. She will also be missed by her siblings, Jennifer Stevens (Dan), Heidi Tuita (Rick), Megan Vaisa, Michael Blackham (Heidi) and Mara James (Adnan), and sister-in-law, SarahAnn Whitbeck, as well as 19 nieces and nephews, 2 great nieces, and many extended family. Additionally, she has a broad network of other loved ones and close friends (Church, school, and community). A special thank you to all of the compassionate caregivers who helped during her final year in Salt Lake and in Kirkland. She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Ken Sowby.
Friends may call to pay respects on Friday, April 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Finn Hill Building (7910 NE 132nd St, Kirkland, WA 98034), suggested dress is business casual. Also, friends may call to pay respects on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00-10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sammamish Valley Stake Center (10115 172nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052), suggested dress is Sunday best. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am and will last about an hour. That service will be available online here: https://zoom.us/j/95878744680
Interment will be in Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call on Friday, April 24 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Parley’s 3rd/5th Ward Building (2615 East Stringham Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84109) suggested dress is business casual.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Bridge of Promise (Jaimi’s favorite local charitable organization) via https://app.betterunite.com/bridgeofpromise-bridgeofpromisegiving.
23 Responses to “Jaimi Shaw Blackham Sowby”
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I was blessed to meet Jaimi. Sending deep condolences to her whole family.
Sending all our love and prayers to Jacob, Kyli, Asher and family. So sorry to hear of your sweetest loss. We love you and will continue to pray and think of you all often!
Love,
Kori Kay and the Nordberg Family!
Working with Jaimi in Primary and Nursery for the last several years made me love her so much! I admired her before that, but working with her and getting to know her made me love her. She has improved my own teaching of littles by her example (it was so long since I finished my education degree, or taught the younger set, and she was still teaching and had the best ideas!). I’ll miss her so much on earth! I’m willing to bet she is still blessing lives now as she did here.
I helped in Nursery with Her in our Ward (Juanita Bay) Sister Sowby Is so wonderful with the Littles in the Church. Truly a marvelous Gift. Also Sister Sowby, is a true Gift to the World. She still is very much living beyond our eternal Heavenly Veil. I so appreciate her ability to engage in a back-n-forth of Puns. She is blessed with a wonderful Sence of Humor. She also insilled that in Her Children. She, and I had a few Jokes in the Waiting Room ( Lobby ) at the Hospital. I just so hapened to be there for a Procedure myself. She fully understood all of my corny Jokes. I will always hold a special spot in my Heart for Her, and Her everso special Family. Love you Jaimi…. you will never ever be forgotten. Thank you for truly blessing all of us here on Earth.
Dear Jake, Kyli and Asher,
Jaimi made a huge impact on everyone she met. When we served in Primary, it was evident how much she loved Jesus Christ. Everyone loved getting gifts from her, because she would always have the perfect book to give. She loved you guys more than anything, she is so proud of you! We pray that you can find strength from your Savior also! We will continue to keep you in our prayers!
Prayers and blessings to all the family!
I also worked with Jaimi in the nursery. She did an amazing job. The kids loved her as I did. I remember when Jaimi and Jacob first moved into the ward. We were at the Big Finn Hill Park, I think celebrating the 4th of July. I immediately thought, “What a special couple”.
Love the family SO MUCH and peace, comfort and guidance, go out to the family. Jaimi will REALLY be missed.
We are sending lots of love and prayers your way from Kansas City. Hugs from The Homsey Family
I’m not sure Jaimi realized how many lives she touched. Our family is one of those families. We love Jaimi and the Sowby family deeply, we appreciated her kindness and friendship over the years. Jaimi was the most loving and giving person.
Jaimi was always an example in Christ in all that she did and said. She was a true light on this earth. Her Faith made yours feel stronger. She made you feel special and loved. She was caring and generous. 💖🫶🙏🌈🥰
The greatest gift we were given because of the Atonement of Jesus is that we will be together again. Jaimi this isn’t goodbye, it’s see a later.
I didn’t know Jamie very well.\nBut I have talked many times in church. Are you Jake Moore? As he was our bishop and our stake president , but I do know that Jamie was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. Heavenly fathered great, gained a wonderful and loving spirit in the next life. Lynn jamie left us to go be with him. I know she’s looking down on her family and knowing that she has left them with wonderful memories and a knowledge of all the things that she was. Heavenly father bless jake and the children.
So sorry for your loss.
It’s times like this I am especially grateful for the ordnances of that seal us as eternal families.
With much love,
Dick Weldon and family
The things that I will remember most about Jaimi is her smile and her graciousness. Until that day when there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, God be with you till we meet again.
Jaimi was one of my ministering sisters when I was a young mom and introduced me to the world of Fancy Nancy. It makes sense now given her degree in French Literature, and her love of books and children. I still have it and will cherish her love and example to me of teaching children to relish books (not to mention her amazing baked goods and recipes I still make and adore). Her legacy lives on in each life she touched. Condolences to her beautiful family.
Dear Jake and family,
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of your beautiful wife and mother. I did not know Jaimi, but my goodness, she sounds like an amazing wife, mother, teacher, a disciple of Christ! Praying for you all to feel her and heaven close during this time.
Love,
Emily Jardine England
It was a joy to teach kindergarten with Jaimi. What a remarkably creative, gifted and generous teacher she was. Her kindness and gentle heart made a difference in so many lives. Surrounding her family and loved ones with prayers.
Jaimi sowby was a beautiful woman who had a great heart and a great sense of humor I’m so sad to hear about her passing. I cannot express in words how sad I am to hear about this sad news she will be missed! Jaimi was gorgeous and left behind two wonderful children and an amazing husband. Rest easy Jaimi sowby❤️
Dear Sowby Family: I join the many who have interacted and served with Jaimi and loved being in her presence. What delightful years we worked in the nursery – way back when it was 2 hours. I believe we might have been the only nursery leaders who were sad when we went from a 3 hour block to 2 hours and lost an hour with the littles. What a tremendously gifted, loving, gracious – well, (that list would be long!), daughter of God here on earth as now continuing on into the eternities.
Jaimi and I met in college while working at the BYU Testing Center. Then we became fast friends while on study abroad together and stayed close over the years, even though geography kept us apart. She is an incredible person, so full of love and generosity. Though my kids never met her they knew her because of the many gifts – especially of her beloved books- she sent them over the years. She took so much care to stay in touch and was always a genuine friend and example to me of great faith. I’m grateful your sorrows are over, Jaimi, and will always pray for your dear ones.
Jaimi has blessed my life. She always had a smile and was happy to see me. She was a great lady. I am grateful for the memories we have shared and now have. I echo all the comments that have been given. Words really can’t express the great love I have for her. Jake, Kyli, Asher, I love you guys. You’re in my thoughts and prayers always. Your family have bless Paul’s and my life.
Dear Jake, Kyli, and Asher,
Jaimi made a huge impact on our family. All the way from elementary and middle school activities to hanging out during Easter and Halloween over the years, Jaimi brought cheers and kindness to everyone around her, and we were fortunate to have known and been touched by it . We have been very thankful for having known your family for over a decade as neighbors. We will continue to keep you in our prayers! Our thoughts are with you .
From – The De Family (Bhupal , Rumi , Esha, and Saanvi)
Jake, Kyli, & Asher,
We loved beautiful Jaimi. She will always be in our hearts. Grateful for our Savior and His plan. Till we meet again dear friend, till we meet again. ALOHA
Dear Jake – Jaimi was my daughter’s kindergarten teacher at Rockwell Elementary. She was the most gentle, kind, loving person. We often talk about her creative costumes, her patient manner, her love for books and the ones she gifted to her students. My daughter treasures her scrapbook from Mrs Sowby.
I send you so much strength and good wishes in this difficult time. She has left her mark on this world through the students she sent out in this world, and she will live on through their memories and good deeds.
I have fond memories of Jaimi and the Sowbys! Jake has been part of our life since he was our home teacher and my son’s YM President when that was a thing😁. We love them because they are so caring and selfless!
A recent fond memory of Jaimi was during the dessert auction to support YW camp in the summer of ’25. There was this very tall ring dessert that had smaller and smaller individual rings as it went up. I wanted that and I guess so did Jaimi. We started going back and forth jumping the price up by $5 each time. As it got up the $100 dollar mark I got more hesitant to bid but I did. After the last bid she came up from where she was sitting and sat down next to me and just gave me a stare as she made a bid. The auctioneer went through the “going once, going twice” bit all the while Jaimi is giving me that stare! I smartly decided not to bid. Afterwards we all had a good laugh and they shared some of the dessert with me.❤️
Jake was Stake President when my sweet Clara passed in November ’23. His support was so meaningful and comforting. I know Clara has welcomed Jaimi to the Spirit World and helped to show her the ropes. Jaimi is not suffering anymore and can continue to serve others there in her unique way!
Love
Rick and Brandon