Dorothy “Dottie” Mae Shanks-Rush
Dorothy “Dottie” Mae Shanks-Rush was born on Halloween, October 31, 1931. She was born in Tennessee where she grew up and married Charles Rose. After a brief marriage they separated and she moved to Ohio. It was there in Dayton, Ohio where she met and married Glenn W. Shanks. They traveled the country together seeking “the perfect place” to make their home. Fortunately they discovered Santa Barbara in 1952 and decided that was where they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. It was there they welcomed their daughter, Glenna Dee. They were happy in Santa Barbara and urged Glenn’s other two daughters, Virginia and Joyce, to join them. They traveled together and visited family and friends all over the country. Glenn, almost singlehandedly, built a beautiful “A” frame house in the Santa Barbara mountains. It continues to stand and is a tribute to him and Dottie. However, all good things must end and it did when Glenn was taken by cancer in 1972.
Later in life Dottie met and married Allyn Rush. They enjoyed many activities together, some of which are board games, Trivia and crossword puzzles (Allyn was a wiz at crossword) Allyn and Dottie loved his children, Jan Volbeda and Norman Rush, and they soon became a wonderful part of the family. Allyn and Dottie had many good years together until he passed away on April 16, 2001.
This year has been extremely difficult for Dottie as there have been numerous trips to the hospital with a large variety of pulmonary and other physical ailments. The last time she was taken to the hospital the doctor looked at her oxygen record and determined she would not be able to return home and she didn’t …… Dottie passed peacefully in Cottage Hospital on October 20, 2020.
Her extended family meant everything to Dottie. Her blended family included her brother John (Charline) Tays and her much loved nieces, nephews and their families. Children: Glenna Dee (Mike) Glenna’s longtime boyfriend & “Dottie’s contractor,” Joyce (Norman) Wieder, Virginia Lordan, Jan (Klaas) Volbeda, Norm (Sue) Rush
Grandchildren: Dan Kilgore, Debbie Fisher, David Wieder, Mike Lordan, Pam Lordan, Joy Maddison, Shelly Kottman, Kirsten Hersh, Megan Marvin, Eric Volbeda Steven Rush, Amy Rush. Great Grandchildren: Zade & Brenia, Grace & Emily, Jenny, Amanda, Sarah, Krista, Chris, Catherine Lily, Johnny, Laney, Wylie, Gavin & Grayson. Great Great Grandchildren: Jane, Evelynn, Kaden, Beau, Paxton, Charlotte.
According to Dottie’s wishes there will be no service at this time.
We will celebrate her life and love at a “Family & Friend Reunion” when it is safe to be together again In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to
Grace Fisher Foundation.
c/o Santa Barbara Foundation
1111 Chapala Street Suite 200
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
www.gracefisherfoundation.org or Wildland Residents Association San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 1289 Goleta, CA 93116.
(Grace is Dottie’s Great Grandaughter)