One Hundred Years + 18 Days Make Good Memories
Dorothy May Banks was born in the notorious Roaring Twenties. As a young girl she lived in Chicago with her mom, Mary and 4 siblings. Clear memories are of her neighbor’s backyard moonshine stills. The neighbor’s home, it turned out, belonged to “Scarface” Al Capone, America’s most famous gangster and crime boss. He dominated the crime scene in Chicago from 1925 until 1931 when he was imprisoned.
Life in Seattle when the family moved from Chicago was definitely less exciting but more comfortable. Dorothy was employed at the Boeing Company, while her husband, Loyle Shearer, attended the U of W. Dorothy worked as a riveter at Boeing during the “Rosie the Riveter” era.
In 1954, the Shearer’s moved to an 11-acre farm on Cedar River in Maple Valley. Dorothy started a local business selling eggs and delivering them with daughter Joan by her side. She also raised Airedales and established her business with the name, Maple Lane Kennels. She raised and showed championship dogs both nationally and in Canada for over 50 years. Dorothy was everyone’s mom, opening up the pool for anyone that came, and Greg, Joan and Bob would have many pool parties. She even had a big box of swimming suits if someone forgot theirs. She always had a big jar of vinegar in case kids got a little too much sun. Horseback riding, jumping in the hay in the barn, the rope swing, the overnights in the summer house on the river, Hot Fudge Sundaes at Newberry’s and Bartells, tubing down the river with an Airedale, kick the can…all were part of the fun that Dorothy created. She would cook up her famous fried chicken or BBQ chicken every Sunday and when Loyle would take the kids skiing they could hardly wait to get home for Sunday fried chicken. Dorothy also volunteered to chaperone dances at the local community hall and was always taking a carload of kids to the roller rink or movie theatre. She was loved by all who knew her.
Grandma Dorothy relished her time with grandchildren while taking them to a health spa, Taco Time, and many other fun places. Again, opening up the pool for the grandchildren to swim and play hide-and-go seek keep the grandchildren now sharing fond memories of their grandma having Chiclets to pass out in her car on the way to or from a fun event.
Dorothy lost her husband and children’s father in 1991. She met and eventually married Nate Cohen. When the farm became difficult to manage they moved into the age 55+ community at Wilderness Village in Maple Valley. When Nate passed, Dorothy moved to Lodge on Eagle Ridge and took along her beloved dog, Jack. She was known for racing her scooter down the drive with Jack for his exercise. Everyone at the Lodge loved Dorothy. She would tell anyone that helped her, “thank you, I love you”.
Dorothy was able to celebrate her goal of 100 years of life on June 5, 2020 with a huge parade, including police and fire departments, the UW alumni marching band and many cars/trucks decorated in her honor. She passed away in her sleep 18 days later on June 23, 2020.
Dorothy is survived by her son Robert Owen Shearer, son Joseph Gregory Shearer, daughter Joan Lee Shearer Messenger, son-in-law William Paul Messenger. Grandchildren: Debbie Shearer, Joe Shearer (Heather), Stephanie Rhyner (Steve), Travis Grant (Eva), Stephanie Weber (Jason), Dustin Grant (Amy), Holly Weddle (Nate), Laura Bottem (Ross), Paul Messenger (Sara), Allison Mackey (Shawn), Tim Shearer (Sarah), Ross Shearer (Lisa). Twenty-seven great grand children: Matt Tresenriter, William Shearer, Trevor Shearer, Trey Curran, Brianna Rhyner, Caitlin Lobdell, Olivia Grant, Payton Weber, Everett Weber, Cooper Grant, Katie Grant, Madison Weddle, Mackenzie Weddle, Julia Bottem, Jacob Bottem, Emma Messenger, Sophie Messenger, Drake Williamson, Cameron Wilson, Ryder Mackey, Cirena Wilson, Cierra Wilson, Kendall Cole, Victoria Shearer, Hunter Shearer, Kelton Shearer, Morgan Shearer(Beth), Reese Shearer. One great great grandchild, Araya Tresenriter. Preceding Dorothy in death were Loyle Owen Shearer (husband), Nate Cohen (husband), Mike Tresenriter (grandchild) and Mary Banks (mother).
Chapel service followed by graveside burial will be August 22, 2020 due to COVID restrictions at Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton, WA.
