Dorothy Lillian Shabsin's Obituary
Dorothy Shabsin was born on December 17, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, an only child to parents Harry & Rose Siff. After graduating from high school, she worked as a legal secretary, and became engaged to Edward Shabsin, who was serving as a pilot in the Air Force during World War II. When Ed came home for a leave, she asked her boss for some time off to see him and he refused, so she promptly quit. That’s the kind of person Dorothy was, family always came first for her. She married Edward Shabsin soon after his return from the war on July 1, 1945 and they honeymooned in Niagara Falls.Her first two children, Harry and Mark, were born in Chicago. After Ed was recalled to the Air Force for the Korean War, he decided to make a career in the military and Dorothy became the consummate military wife, hosting events, packing up and moving the family all over the world every couple years, wherever her husband was stationed. After leaving Chicago in 1952, they went to Washington D.C. where she had her third child, Francine, in 1954. The family next moved to Bloomington, Indiana where she had her last child, Dean, in 1961.Dorothy stayed home to raise her four children, but always volunteered her time. She worked for the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and she served as secretary in both Hadassah and ORT for many years. After her children were raised, she returned to work in a law firm.When Ed retired, they settled down in San Diego in 1969, and San Diego became their home. Shortly afterwards, her mother, Rose Siff, decided to move to California to be near her daughter, and Dorothy lovingly cared for her until her death at the age of 97, in 1987. Dorothy and Ed were married 47 years, until his death in 1993.Dorothy enjoyed playing bridge, mahjong, scrabble, and traveling. But her greatest joy was raising her children, and watching them grow up into fine adults and have children of their own. Her many friends said she had the most beautiful smile and was a warm and kind friend. Her children say she was a wonderful, caring mother, generous with her love and affection and was always there to support them.Dorothy died at her Seacrest Village community in Encinitas, CA, on March 10, 2016. She is survived by her four children, Harry, Mark, Francine and Dean, five grandchildren, Rhianna, Mike, Geoff, Stephanie and Daniel, and two great-grandchildren, Doug and Ethan. She was beloved by all and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
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