Obituary for Doralynn Louise "Dodie" Shaw (LaRoss)
Shaw, Doralynn Louise “Dodie”, age 90, of Mount Pleasant, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Dodie was born October 6, 1932, to Albert and Cecile (Meyers) LaRoss in Flint, MI. She graduated from Flint Central High School and went on to study at Flint Junior College until she married Gerald “Jerry” Shaw in November 1953. They had five children, twins Katy and Skip, Suzy, Beth, and Chris.
Years later she divorced and went on to begin her career. She worked for the City of Flint for 21 years. The last position she held was for the Flint Housing Commission at a public housing high-rise. It was this job that fueled her interest in city politics and her compassion for economically disadvantaged citizens. She made many new friendships in this arena with people who shared the same interests.
Following her retirement in 1996, Dodie became a foster parent. By now her children were adults yet she had more love and mothering to give. So, for the next eight years she cared for many foster kids, some of whom she remained friends with via Facebook.
Dodie made sure anyone who stepped foot in her home felt loved and safe no matter what. This included school friends, neighborhood kids, and family friends. It didn’t matter if it was for a hot meal, a place to sleep for the night or longer, or a shoulder to cry on. She made room for all.
Dodie loved any event that brought her family together, birthdays, holidays, family reunions, Sunday dinners and time spent at her summer cottage. Being with her family was what Dodie enjoyed most of all.
Dodie was an avid reader. Her four bookcases held classics, novels, memoirs, and children’s literature. She shared her love of reading with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her first gifts to them was often books. She also loved the arts, she was a member of the Flint Institute of Arts. She had a natural talent for drawing, painting, and sculpting. She also collected vintage dishes and pottery.
Being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother was the most important thing to Dodie. She will always be remembered for her love of family.
Dodie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Mary Kathryn “Katy” (Anthony) Kulick of Mt. Pleasant, Albert LaRoss “Skip” Shaw of Flint, Suzanne Louise Williams of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Tampa, Beth Ann (Donald) McDonald of Owosso and Christopher Walker Shaw of Millington.
She was the beloved grandmother of seven grandchildren, Anthony James “TJ” (Jennifer) Kulick of Grosse Pointe Woods, Abigail Kathryn “Abby” (Taylor) deRoo of Zeeland, James Ryan Williams of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Tampa, Johnathan Michael Williams of Tampa, Christopher David Joseph Gonzales of Flint, Gabrielle Elizabeth Gonzales of Owosso and Lindsey LaRoss Shaw of Flint.
She also cherished her nine great grandchildren, Murphy, Harry, Rudy and Goldie deRoo, Clark Williams, Sloane Kulick, Harper, Sammy and Lincoln Gonzales.
She will be dearly missed by her sister, Roseann Lussier of New York City. She also leaves Michael Lussier Jr., Amy (Michael) Schwartz and their children Chase and Paige. As well as cousins Arthur (Kathy) Meyers and Robert (Ann) Meyers.
Dodie was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Cecile LaRoss, Jerry Shaw, aunt, Gladys Hacker, brother in-law Michael Lussier Sr., and sons in-law Davi Gonzales and Gib Williams.
A memorial service will take place May 13, 11:00am at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Dodie Shaw to the following:
Ennis Center for Children, 129 E. Third St., Flint, MI 48502, Attention: Development Department or via https:// www.enniscenter.org
Chippewa River District Library, 301 S. University St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 or via https:// www.crdl.org/connect/howtogive
Reading Is Fundamental via https:// www.rif.org/support-rif
Dodie was born October 6, 1932, to Albert and Cecile (Meyers) LaRoss in Flint, MI. She graduated from Flint Central High School and went on to study at Flint Junior College until she married Gerald “Jerry” Shaw in November 1953. They had five children, twins Katy and Skip, Suzy, Beth, and Chris.
Years later she divorced and went on to begin her career. She worked for the City of Flint for 21 years. The last position she held was for the Flint Housing Commission at a public housing high-rise. It was this job that fueled her interest in city politics and her compassion for economically disadvantaged citizens. She made many new friendships in this arena with people who shared the same interests.
Following her retirement in 1996, Dodie became a foster parent. By now her children were adults yet she had more love and mothering to give. So, for the next eight years she cared for many foster kids, some of whom she remained friends with via Facebook.
Dodie made sure anyone who stepped foot in her home felt loved and safe no matter what. This included school friends, neighborhood kids, and family friends. It didn’t matter if it was for a hot meal, a place to sleep for the night or longer, or a shoulder to cry on. She made room for all.
Dodie loved any event that brought her family together, birthdays, holidays, family reunions, Sunday dinners and time spent at her summer cottage. Being with her family was what Dodie enjoyed most of all.
Dodie was an avid reader. Her four bookcases held classics, novels, memoirs, and children’s literature. She shared her love of reading with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her first gifts to them was often books. She also loved the arts, she was a member of the Flint Institute of Arts. She had a natural talent for drawing, painting, and sculpting. She also collected vintage dishes and pottery.
Being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother was the most important thing to Dodie. She will always be remembered for her love of family.
Dodie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Mary Kathryn “Katy” (Anthony) Kulick of Mt. Pleasant, Albert LaRoss “Skip” Shaw of Flint, Suzanne Louise Williams of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Tampa, Beth Ann (Donald) McDonald of Owosso and Christopher Walker Shaw of Millington.
She was the beloved grandmother of seven grandchildren, Anthony James “TJ” (Jennifer) Kulick of Grosse Pointe Woods, Abigail Kathryn “Abby” (Taylor) deRoo of Zeeland, James Ryan Williams of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Tampa, Johnathan Michael Williams of Tampa, Christopher David Joseph Gonzales of Flint, Gabrielle Elizabeth Gonzales of Owosso and Lindsey LaRoss Shaw of Flint.
She also cherished her nine great grandchildren, Murphy, Harry, Rudy and Goldie deRoo, Clark Williams, Sloane Kulick, Harper, Sammy and Lincoln Gonzales.
She will be dearly missed by her sister, Roseann Lussier of New York City. She also leaves Michael Lussier Jr., Amy (Michael) Schwartz and their children Chase and Paige. As well as cousins Arthur (Kathy) Meyers and Robert (Ann) Meyers.
Dodie was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Cecile LaRoss, Jerry Shaw, aunt, Gladys Hacker, brother in-law Michael Lussier Sr., and sons in-law Davi Gonzales and Gib Williams.
A memorial service will take place May 13, 11:00am at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Dodie Shaw to the following:
Ennis Center for Children, 129 E. Third St., Flint, MI 48502, Attention: Development Department or via https:// www.enniscenter.org
Chippewa River District Library, 301 S. University St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 or via https:// www.crdl.org/connect/howtogive
Reading Is Fundamental via https:// www.rif.org/support-rif