OBITUARY

Grace Augusta Hotson Shields

October 6, 1926 - April 17, 2024

Grace Augusta Hotson Shields was born October 6, 1926, in Boston, Mass., to Clarence Paul Hotson and Cornelia Robb Hinkley Hotson. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Eleanor, John Hargrove, Caroline, and Donald. Grace's early life was marked by many moves during The Great Depression, a time when her family struggled, as many did, to make ends meet.

As a child, she lived in Minneapolis, Minn., Lubbock, Texas, and Talcot Gulch, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado where they lived a pioneer existence in a primitive one room cabin. This was Grace's favorite area of all the many places she lived, including Dorchester, Mass., where Grace attended Girls' Latin School, the first college preparatory school for girls, in Boston.

Grace also attended Madeira School in Greenway, Va., where she lived with her Uncle John Leslie Hotson and his wife, Mary Peabody Hotson. She graduated high school from the Academy of the New Church Girls' School in Bryn Athyn, Penn., in 1945.

As a young adult, Grace moved to Baltimore, Md. where she worked as an Occupational Therapist in the aftermath of WWII, when there was high demand for occupational therapy for wounded soldiers. Grace later finished college in Bryn Athyn and went on to teach Kindergarten and First Grade at a church school in Glenview, Ill., until her marriage in 1960 to Robert William Shields in Green Mountain Falls, Colo. Her love of children and natural compassion to help the ill and injured were hallmarks of her life on earth.

Grace moved with her husband and children to Dayton, Wash., on July 4, 1969, and resided in the same house on Oak Street since that day. Grace Shields was active in the church choirs of the First Congregational and First Christian Churches in Dayton, taught adult Sunday School classes, and participated in the local Garden Club as President for several years. She loved to sing, had a beautiful soprano voice, and often sang solos, including participating in the Methodist Church's annual performance of Handel's Messiah.

She was good humored and well loved. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 17 at the age of 97, in her home of 55 years.

Grace is survived by her three daughters, Cornelia Shields, Heidi Shields, and Klara Shields Hicks, four grandchildren, Edith (Andrew Eubanks) and Joshua Dull, Henry and Lee Hicks, and sons-in-law Dr. James Dull and Gregory A. Hicks. Grace was a beloved aunt to her 13 nieces and nephews and their children (25 great nieces and nephews and 17 great-great nieces and nephews) and has a great grandchild due in September 2024.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Physical Therapists at Columbia County Health System/Dayton General Hospital who created such a fun and welcoming environment for Grace, a vital part of her well-being. The family is very grateful to the Senior Citizens' group who lovingly delivered weekly meals. The family extends special recognition to Cindy Harney and her daughter, Michelle, and granddaughter, Grace, who provided extraordinarily loving care up until the moment Grace boarded the train to her final destination.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 27, 2024 beginning at 11 a.m. at the United Brethren Church, 1106 South Fourth Street, Dayton, Wash. Reception to follow at 412 South First Street. All are welcome.