Dorothy Belle Shinn

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(March 30, 1925 - Feb. 19, 2015)

Dorothy Belle Shinn died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, at her home in Powell. She was 89.

Dorothy was born in Deaver on March 30, 1925, the daughter of Rankin and Myrtle Hudgins. Her parents were homesteaders, and Dorothy had three brothers, Everett, Edwin and Al.

She graduated from the Deaver school and went on to college, graduating from Montana State University (Eastern Montana) in 1950. Dorothy taught music lessons after she graduated.

Dorothy married Preston Shinn on June 18, 1950, and they traveled often, going through the United States, Canada, Mexico and abroad.

She then attended graduate level courses at the University of Wyoming, receiving scholarships and honors, including the national science scholarship from Wheaton, Ill.

Through grants from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), she did international graduate work aboard the SS Universe, which included six weeks of studying in several Latin American countries.

She received grants with Pittsburgh University for work units on Hawaii and Alaska for classroom use.

Dorothy obtained a sixth-seventh year graduate level equivalent to a master’s degree.

She taught for two years in Sheridan, Mont., teaching fifth and sixth grades and music.

Dorothy then moved to Powell, where she taught elementary school for 36 years.

She was a well-loved and well-respected teacher, and after her trips abroad, she shared those experiences with her students.

Following Preston’s death in April 1993, Dorothy traveled greatly abroad.

Dorothy was active in her church, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Daughters of the Nile for 15 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star for 68 years, serving as the Grand Representative from 2006-08, and as organist for 13 years.

She loved and appreciated music, and her interests also included geology and reading. She also fed birds and stray cats.

Dorothy loved the children she taught and her friends. She enjoyed meeting friends for coffee on Saturday mornings.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers Edwin and Al. She is survived by her brother Everett of California.

A funeral service took place Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Union Presbyterian Church in Powell. Burial followed in the Crown Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory.

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