Obituary: Doris Shedden, Former Ossining Resident

From the Shedden family

Doris Shedden passed away on July 3, 2019, in Aptos, California at the age of 90. She is survived by her two sons, Richard D. Shedden (Corralitos, CA) and John R. Shedden (Morgan Hill, CA), her six grandchildren, Erin Correa (Monroe, CT), Ryan Ablondi (Millis, MA), Jennifer Shedden (Mammoth Lakes, CA), Brian Shedden (Santa Cruz, CA), James Shedden (Santa Clara, CA), and Allison Shedden (Santa Barbara, CA), her three great-grandchildren, Madelyn Correa, Lucy Ablondi and Elias Ablondi, her two sisters Gloria Natale (Enfield, CT) and Diana Giotis (Smithtown, NY), and several nieces and nephews, all greatly beloved.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Agnes (Peters) and James F. Dillon, her husband Richard M. Shedden, her daughter Helen L. Shedden, and her brother James R. Dillon.

Doris was born on December 5, 1928 in Chicago, where her father, Jim Dillon, was a trombone player with Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians Band. Shortly thereafter, the family moved with the band to New York City. She spent her childhood in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, with the exception of one year living in Hollywood, California, while the band worked on a motion picture. Doris married her high school sweetheart and first and only love, Richard (“Dick”) Shedden, on December 21, 1947, and together they raised three children. They were happily married for 52 years, until Dick's passing in 1999.

As a young woman, Doris was a Rockette dancer performing at Radio City Music Hall and worked part-time as a fashion model in New York City.

She then became a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Doris was an excellent cook, and enjoyed crossword puzzles, cribbage, bridge, bowling and tennis. Known as a consummate hostess, Doris was happiest surrounded by family and friends hosting holidays and other social events. She will be remembered as a longtime member of St. Paul's On-The-Hill Episcopal Church in Ossining, New York, where she spent many hours volunteering in the Lantern Gift Shop.

After living almost her entire life in New York State, Doris moved to Aptos, California in 2017 to be closer to her two sons and four of her six grandchildren. She will be forever loved and missed by all, especially her family and wonderful church friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Ossining, New York, on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at 11:00 am. Doris will join her husband Dick and daughter Helen in adjoining interment plots in Joseph's Garden at St. Paul's. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Gift Fund.