1913
Mrs.
2009
Mrs. Dorothy Shields
September 18, 1913 — May 17, 2009
Dorothy Orr Thornton Shields, 95, of Kansas City, MO passed away May 16th, 2009 at Menorah Medical Center, surrounded by her family and friends. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6700 Mission Road, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20th. Private graveside services and burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery at 70th and Troost immediately following the Memorial service. Friends may call on Tuesday evening May 19th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at D.W. Newcomer’s Son’s Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. Memorial Contributions may be made to Friends of Sacred Structures, 210 Westport Road, KCMO 64111.
Dorothy was born in Kansas City, September 18, 1913, the daughter of Jeanette Kirk and Thomas Orr Thornton. She lived in Parkville where her father had his dental practice. In 1918 following the death of her mother they returned to Kansas City, her father remarried and in 1930, she graduated from Central High School. She attended Jane Hayes Gates School of Art and was an advertising artist for many Kansas City firms, including the Kansas City Journal Post newspaper. She was very proud of her Scottish heritage and her family. Dottie was a talented artist and her beautiful oils grace the homes of many friends and family.
In 1937, she married William T. Shields, a co-worker at the Journal Post who later became Board Director and Assistant to the President of the Kansas City Star. They were married for 54 years before his death in 1991. Together they raised two sons, Michael Thornton and Thomas Christopher.
She was a member of The Village Presbyterian Church, Saddle and Sirloin Club, Indian Hills Country Club, the Ward Parkway Garden Club and PEO. “Dottie” was active in her bridge clubs and her garden club until recently. Her quiet presence, fierce pride and graceful manner were appreciated by all who knew and loved her.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, “Orr” and Jeanette, and stepmother Ada. She is survived by a sister Fran Segur of Belton, MO; son Mike and wife Joan of Prairie Village, and son Chris and wife Carol, of Overland Park. Her beloved grandchildren are Susan Green (David) of Ft. Worth, TX; Sally Messinger (Jeff) of Denver, CO; Stephanie Cohen (Benny) of Olathe; and Chad Shields (Tanya) of Olathe. She has six adoring great-grandchildren: Jill and Ryan Messinger, Tyler Green, Mayah and Sheli Cohen, and Natalie Shields and two nieces, Dana Nunez and Jan Johnson. She held a special place in her heart for her primary caregiver, Lona Hatfield and Clarinda and Robin.
Dorothy was born in Kansas City, September 18, 1913, the daughter of Jeanette Kirk and Thomas Orr Thornton. She lived in Parkville where her father had his dental practice. In 1918 following the death of her mother they returned to Kansas City, her father remarried and in 1930, she graduated from Central High School. She attended Jane Hayes Gates School of Art and was an advertising artist for many Kansas City firms, including the Kansas City Journal Post newspaper. She was very proud of her Scottish heritage and her family. Dottie was a talented artist and her beautiful oils grace the homes of many friends and family.
In 1937, she married William T. Shields, a co-worker at the Journal Post who later became Board Director and Assistant to the President of the Kansas City Star. They were married for 54 years before his death in 1991. Together they raised two sons, Michael Thornton and Thomas Christopher.
She was a member of The Village Presbyterian Church, Saddle and Sirloin Club, Indian Hills Country Club, the Ward Parkway Garden Club and PEO. “Dottie” was active in her bridge clubs and her garden club until recently. Her quiet presence, fierce pride and graceful manner were appreciated by all who knew and loved her.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, “Orr” and Jeanette, and stepmother Ada. She is survived by a sister Fran Segur of Belton, MO; son Mike and wife Joan of Prairie Village, and son Chris and wife Carol, of Overland Park. Her beloved grandchildren are Susan Green (David) of Ft. Worth, TX; Sally Messinger (Jeff) of Denver, CO; Stephanie Cohen (Benny) of Olathe; and Chad Shields (Tanya) of Olathe. She has six adoring great-grandchildren: Jill and Ryan Messinger, Tyler Green, Mayah and Sheli Cohen, and Natalie Shields and two nieces, Dana Nunez and Jan Johnson. She held a special place in her heart for her primary caregiver, Lona Hatfield and Clarinda and Robin.
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