Obituary of Dorothy Sheppard

On April 11^th, 2019 Dorothy Sheppard went to be with her Lord. She was 92 at the time of her passing and lived independently up until the final months of her life. Dorothy was born in Concordia, Kansas on June 27^th, 1926 to her parents Alphonse Dugas and Leona Dugas. Dorothy was the eldest of 3 children. Her younger siblings were Dennis Dugas and Mildred Ornellas.

Dorothy moved to Camas, Washington with family when she was 16 years old and graduated from Camas High School. She was married to John William Sheppard in June 1946. Her son Michael Sheppard was born in 1947. Only 3 years after their marriage, Dorothy lost John in a tragic accident. Dorothy became a single mother at a young age. She raised her son independently, buying her own home and working several jobs as provider.  During her career Dorothy worked in the Camas Public Library, the Camas Paper Mill, and the Pendleton Woolen Mill.  She retired from the Woolen Mill in 1991 as a supervisor.

Dorothy was a devout Catholic, often attending mass daily once retired. She was a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas for almost 70 years, since the church’s inception. Dorothy loved to read and play card games with her friends. She volunteered at her church, for the Red Cross, and the Treasure House. She spent many hours watching her son and grandchildren play sports.

She is survived by her son Mike, her brother Dennis, her grandchildren John, Jeff, Stephanie and Aurora, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her family will remember her for her faithfulness, independence, generosity, class, and gorgeous smile.

Dorothy’s service is April 16^th, at 11:00 am, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 324 NE Oak St., Camas, WA 98607.  Burial will follow at the Camas Cemetery.  Straub’s Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements.