Transcription:

Mt. Pleasant pillar, Dorothy Sheahan, dies

When Dorothy “Dot” Sheahan wrote a book in 2009, she ended it with a prayer that she gave away all of her talents to others.

Those who knew Dot would agree that she did.

Dot, 87, a pillar of the Mt. Pleasant community, died at her home on North Kinney Street Thursday.

A funeral Mass for Dot will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Don Henkes as celebrant and Father Thomas J. McNamara as homilist.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on South Lincoln Road in Union Township.

A vigil service will be held Thursday at 7 p.m., and visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

Dot and husband Jerry, recipients of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award, are known by generation of children for the elaborate Christmas decor at their home, including a life-sized Nativity scene and Dot and Jerry playing Santa and Mrs. Claus.

But Dot was more than just the lady behind the Christmas lights and inflatables that families enjoyed for 42 years.

Dot loved to travel, having gone with Jerry on trips to every continent, including what some would consider a nail-biting excursion to Antarctica on a Russian ocean vessel.

Dot was proud of her family, and last summer took up playing the ukulele, and had been practicing so she could play “Jingle Bells” for her family at a Christmas party that was planned for Dec. 17.

In their travels, Dot and Jerry visited 115 countries, Ireland being among her favorites, having visited the country 14 times.

She also loved seeing the Pyramids in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, the Galapagos Islands and going with Jerry on African safaris.

In her book, “Here Comes Nana,” Dot wrote about the places she and Jerry traveled and included photographs, her son, Michael, said.

Mike Sheahan also noted a coincidence Dot had with the number eight: She was born March 8, was married May 8, 1952, had her first date with Jerry Nov. 8, 1946 and died Dec. 8, with is the Feast of Immaculate Conception, a Catholic holy day.

At the end of “Here Comes Nana,” Dot wrote “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, ‘I used every bit you gave me.’ Amen.”

Dot was proud of her joy of reading, and averaged about 40 books annually for several years, Michael said.

An avid reader from an early age, Dot in 1939 at age 10 read 56 books over summer vacation, earning first place in a contest and a $25 savings bond, Michael said.

Grandson Taylor Sheahan-Stahl said Dot read her first “Twilight” book a few years ago and was eager to read more when she found out it was part of a series of novels.

Dot also enjoyed technology and told her family that she learned a lot from young people.

Son Timothy Sheahan has her Christmas present wrapped at his house - an Amazon Echo Dot.

Dot and Jerry owned for many years the Green Spot pub at Mission and Pickard streets in Mt. Pleasant, and Dot was known for making the chili at the bar.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial contributions be made to the Isabella County Commission on Aging or MapleWood of Mt. Pleasant.

Dot is survived by Jerry; six children, Michael Sheahan of Houston, Timothy (Tammy) Sheahan of Bay City, Kathleen (James Minehan) Sheahan of Mt. Pleasant, Patrick (Julie) Sheahan of Chicago, Maureen (Blake) Yesmunt of Shepherd and Jerry “J.J.” Sheahan of Canton; 23 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two on the way; sister-in-law Kathleen Voisin of Mt. Pleasant; several nieces and nephews; and Pudge, her schnoodle dog.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law William Stahl; siblings Lillian Webster, Ruth Rakowski, Irene Edwards, Rita Deni, Joseph Voisin, Walter Voisin and Leo Voisin; and a niece, Maryanne Webster.

A full obituary will be in Sunday’s Morning Sun.

Transcription:

Sheahan, Dorothy ‘Dot’ M. (Voisin) Age 87; of Mt. Pleasant; passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016, at her home. A Funeral Mass for Dorothy will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Don Henkes as celebrant, Father Thomas J. McNamara as homilist and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the parish hall. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday from 12 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. The Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Visitation continues at the church one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Commission on Aging or Maplewood of Mt. Pleasant. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Dorothy was born March 8, 1929, in Mt. Pleasant, daughter of the late Edward and Clara (Schohl) Voisin. After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in 1947, she married her classmate and love of her life, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Sheahan on May 8, 1952 at Sacred Heart Church. Dorothy loved traveling and was fortunate enough to visit 115 countries and every continent in the world. She worked for Sarah Coventry selling costume jewelry, though most will remember Dot for the role she played as Mrs. Claus and the Christmas decorations that adorned their home for many years on the corner of Kinney and Lincoln Streets. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jerry Sheahan; six children, Michael Sheahan of Houston, TX, Timothy (Tammy) Sheahan of Bay City, Kathleen Sheahan (James Minehan) of Mt. Pleasant, Patrick (Julie) Sheahan of Chicago, Maureen (Blake) Yesmunt of Shepherd, and Jerry ‘J.J.’ Sheahan of Canton; 23 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; sister-in-law, Kathleen Voisin of Mt. Pleasant; many nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, her schnoodle dog ‘Pudge’. She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, William Stahl; siblings, Lillian Webster, Ruth Rakowski, Irene Edwards, Rita Deni, Joseph Voisin, Walter Voisin, and Leo Voisin; and niece, Maryanne Webster. To leave a condolence for the family or to sign the online guest book please visit www.charlesrlux.com
Published in Morning Sun on Dec. 9, 2016

Abstract:

License: May 6, 1952.
Gerald J. Sheahan, 23, white, of Rosebush, born in Michigan, occupation US Army.
Dorthy Voisin, 23, white, of Mt. Pleasant, born in Michigan, occupation clerk.
Both were not previously married.
Parents of groom: Gene Sheahan and Agnes McGuirk.
Parents of bride: Edward Voisin and Clara Schohl.
Married: May 8, 1952 in Mt. Pleasant by Leo Farquharson, clergyman.
Witnesses: Dick Sheahan of Rosebush and Rita Ann Voisin of Mt. Pleasant.
--Marriage records, Isabella County, Michigan, Vol 3, p. 290, #56.