Colette Shoeman passed away peacefully on October 20, 2015, at the age of 88.
She was born in Metz, France, on April 30, 1927. She grew up in rural France and endured the occupation of her country during World War II. Following the liberation of France in 1944, she was employed by the U.S. Army in Nancy, France, where she met Carl Roy Shoeman, an American GI. After the war, at the age of 19, Colette immigrated to the United States and gained her citizenship.
She and Roy Shoeman were married in 1946 in Hoquiam, Washington, and they moved to Port Angeles shortly thereafter. They faced some early challenges with Colette’s three-year battle with tuberculosis and confinement to a sanatorium. But Colette would soon overcome the illness and they resumed their lives together raising three children and establishing their permanent home in Port Angeles.
Colette and Roy were together for more than 46 years until Roy’s passing in 1993. Colette continued to find joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren, and also loved to read, travel, and carry on her French heritage. She was a dedicated Port Angeles resident for more than 60 years, and served as an employee of the North Olympic Library System for over 30 years.
Colette is preceded in death by her husband, Roy, her parents, Andre and Juliette Baechler, and her sister, Monique Dreydemy. She is survived by her children, Paul Shoeman of Edmonds, Washington, Michele Lange of Orangevale, California, and Daniel Shoeman of Wilton, California. She is also survived by her niece, Christine Dreydemy of Auxerre, France, and by her grandchildren, Shannon, Lena and Nathaniel Shoeman.
Colette will be remembered for her kind heart, her unassuming character, her courage and her strong devotion to family and friends. A mass celebrating Colette’s life will be held at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 1007 S. Oak St., Port Angeles, on November 23, 2015, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, Colette’s family requests that donations be made in her name to the Port Angeles Friends of the Library, http://friendsofthelibrarypa.org.