Doris J Shea

Doris Jane O’Connor Shea, 102, was born on Thursday, September 12, 1918 and passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021 of natural causes in Reno, NV. Doris was born in St. Louis, MO to Edward James O’Connor of Edwardsville, IL and Edna Smith O’Connor of St. Louis, MO. In the 1930’s, Ms. Shea graduated St. Joseph’s Academy and St. Louis University Fontbonne College currently Fontbonne University, having studied biology and fine arts. She was inducted in 2001 at the Griffin Hall of Fame at Fontbonne into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for 1939 and 1940 Equestrian Champion of St. Louis. Doris, with three of her Fontbonne team mates rode together through their school years taking their steeds through their paces, enjoying their love of horses and competition, wearing various matching outfits of their own design! Further on, in the mid-1950’s, for professional development, Doris trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, in cancer research and diagnosis.

Following college, Doris married Dr. Robert Emmett Shea, M.D. in St. Louis, MO on April 19, 1941. Six children followed: Robert Emmett, Jr., James Joseph, Elizabeth Lynn, Elaine Katherine, Patrick Michael, and Edward Terrance.

In addition to St. Louis, Doris lived in Belleville, IL, Clayton, MO, Reno, NV, Carson City, NV and Tarpon Springs, FL

Later, in the 1980’s, Doris married the Honorable Judge Quinten Spivey. Judge Spivey pre-deceased Doris, and is survived by his son Timothy Spivey and his wife Joann, two children and grandchildren.

Pursuing her talent in the fine arts, from the 1980’s, Doris began a four decade long active interest in painting – multiple media and subjects: including oil, watercolors, acrylics, and charcoal in landscapes, florals, miniatures, and sketches. As president twice of The Pen Women, Reno, NV Chapter, Doris organized local, judged art shows. Painting was the activity she loved the most.

Doris is survived by her six (6) children: Robert Emmett Shea, Jr., Cleveland, OH; James J. Shea and wife Gyanith, Newburgh, IN; Elizabeth Lynn Stammer, Las Vegas, NV; Elaine Katherine Shea, Alexandria, VA; Patrick Michael Shea and wife Billie, Reno, NV; Edward Terrance Shea and wife Jennifer Stern, Reno, NV.

Also, she is survived by fourteen (14) grandchildren: Kelly Ann Stammer Taylor, Kathleen Shea Rozier, Colleen Shea Hall, Kenneth Leo Stammer, Robert Shea III, Timothy M. Shea, Reagan Ann Vohs, Erin Elizabeth Blacak, Frederick George Hof II, Edward James O’Connor Hof, Zachary Stern Shea, Veronica Stern Shea, Sean Shea Nitchman, Jessica Shea Nitchman.

Doris is survived by twelve (12) great grandchildren: Genna Taylor, Courtland Thomas Rozier, Lauren Shea Rozier, Mary Claire Hall, Annie Hall, Kenneth Nikolai Stammer, Athan Stammer, Emily Shea, Shea Vohs, Nathan Vohs, Charlie Hof, and William Hof.

Doris is pre-deceased by her beloved granddaughter – the beloved daughter of Elaine, and beloved sister of Fred and Edward Hof, - Claudine Katherine Weber-Hof, 49, January 16, 2020. Claudine once wrote that Doris was her heroine and role model.

Pat and Billie Shea have all the family’s enormous thanks and gratitude, as always, for taking care of Doris in their home for nearly 25 years. Blessings upon you both forever!

“Keep on dancing” sums up Doris’s life. And, as she said, we will meet her again “in all the familiar places.”

To let you know, sited by Fred shortly after Doris’s passing was an extraordinarily brilliant, circular “rainbow halo” at the zenith of the sky over Elaine’s 74th birthday barbeque, at Edward’s home, with Edward’s wife Kerri, and sons Charlie and William in Alexandria, VA. A rarity - just like Doris!