She was born in the Dutch village of Clymer, New York on 20 February, 1926 to Edward and Flora (Croscutt) Eshelman and received her early education there. She pursued her undergraduate education at Taylor University in Indiana and later completed her degree in Public Administration at City University.
Lois married The Rev. Mr. Doyle Shields, and together they served Methodist parishes in Western New York and in Tumwater, Washington. She was a charter member of the Thurston County Council on Alcoholism and served there as a volunteer for years. Later, Lois became the Educator, Counselor, and Executive Director of the Alcoholism Referral Center which became the Thurston and Mason Alcoholism Recovery Council, Inc. (TAMARC).
She married Phil Parker on 1 April, 1972 and they became community activists in many areas. A pioneer in the treatment of addictions, Lois developed and implemented treatment programs that became the forerunner to the many family recovery groups throughout the state. She was also instrumental in the development of employee assistance programs and authored a plan which provided drug and alcoholism treatment for inmates in the corrections system.
Other community activities included serving on the board of the Off-Campus School, Interfaith Works of Thurston County, ESL tutor, secretary to the Olympia Fellowship Of Reconciliation, and the First United Methodist Church of Olympia.
Lois retired in 1987 and she and Phil traveled to many places, including staying a year in Europe. She researched her roots in Winterswijk, Holland, and authored an historical and genealogical book which has been placed in the national archives in Den Hague.
She had a passion for working with the earth and landscaped and gardened on their property. She wrote “there is a goodness that comes directly from the soil as I dig; from the soil and into my digging tool, up my hand and arm and into the very core of my being. At-one-ment with my Creator. We are One! Gardening is a spiritual experience.”
Lois is predeceased by her husband Philip H. Parker and her son Calvin Shields. She is survived by her daughter Robbin McManus of Olympia, and by special friends Kitty Parker, Elizabeth and David Mercer, Hap and Regina Parker of Olympia, Jennifer Parker and Steve Clagett of Seattle. “By marriage I had four more children. By choice I had four friends.”
She is survived by a sister, Verna Kasper of Pennsylvania; and a brother Donald Eshelman in, Florida. As well as twelve grandchildren and and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Hazel and Carol, and bothers Norman and Elvin.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Olympia at 2pm on November 24, 2018.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501 or to the Olympia Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), PO Box 7273, Olympia, WA 98507.
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