After 98 amazing years, Doris Ruth Sheler passed away on September 1, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family just prior to her passing.
Doris was born in Port Angeles on November 21, 1924, the youngest of 8 children. She was born early, weighing in at only 3 pounds, and did not get much bigger – only 4’ 11’ – but her spirit and strong love of family was far greater than her small stature.
When she was young, she worked as an usherette in Seattle and at her Italian mother’s restaurant on Beacon Hill. That was where she met her husband, Jack Edward Sheler in 1948 and they married soon after. They welcomed three girls, Susan, Karen, and Jill. She loved dressing up the girls in matching outfits and her house was often the center of family events, filled with laughter and good food.
Doris and Jack were married for 40 years until his death on June 27, 1989. After his death, she maintained her independence, taking the bus wherever she wanted to go (mostly bingo and thrift stores) and was very talented at flower arranging and crafts. Her love of family showed in everything she did. She loved holidays and would make her specialties – spaghetti, BBQ meatballs and potato and macaroni salads. Since she also loved to gamble, family events were often followed by spirited poker games. Everyone knew that if Doris was smiling, she had a great hand, and it was best to fold because you knew she would be taking the winnings. Her smile and laugh when she won will always be remembered.
Doris also loved going to the casino to play slot machines. Many later birthdays were spent playing her favorite dolphin machines and her favorite gift was money to gamble. She also loved movies, movie stars, talking politics and she had the best lap for holding her numerous grand-babies and later, great grand-babies.
She will be best remembered for her smile, her laugh and how much she loved her family. Her kindness, care and spirit will never be forgotten.
Survivors include her daughters Susan, Karen, and Jill; sons-in-law Paul, Howard, and Harry; grandchildren Bill, Jason, Wade, Rhyan and Megan; and great-grandchildren Christopher, Nick, Gavyn, Pryce, Samantha, Hannah, Jack, Billy, Jayde, Kylie, Jemma, Jace, Mia, Khyla, and Paul; and treasured friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack and her 7 brothers and sisters.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 14th at 10am at Barton Family Funeral Service (11630 Slater Ave NE, Suite 1A, Kirkland WA 98034) with a graveside service to follow at 1pm at Holyrood Cemetery, 205 NE 205th St, Shoreline. Flowers may be sent to the cemetery – or in lieu of flowers, donations made to a charity of choice.
The post first appeared on Barton Family Funeral Service.