Lois Shelton passed away on October 25, 2026, after a courageous journey with breast cancer. Her life was one of resilience, independence, adventure, creativity, and an enduring commitment to helping others.

The title of Lois’s memoir, Rocky Trail But Steady Feet, offers a fitting reflection of the life she lived. Her journey was not always an easy one, but she approached life with determination, strength, and an independent spirit. Her story was one of overcoming challenges, finding her own path, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Lois attended Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois. She began her college education at the University of Illinois before transferring to Kendall College in Evanston. She later earned her master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

In the summer of 1973, Lois moved to California, where she began a career devoted to helping children and families. She worked for Alameda County, placing children in foster care and helping vulnerable children find safe and supportive homes. Her professional life reflected her compassion and dedication to improving the lives of children and families in need.

Lois was also a proud and independent businesswoman. She had a natural talent for buying and selling real estate and built her financial independence through her investments. Over the years, she purchased and sold several properties, including a duplex in Oakland and three homes in Grass Valley. She was a savvy businesswoman who took pride in her independence and ability to create her own financial security.

Beyond her career and business accomplishments, Lois had a tremendous appreciation for the natural world. She was an avid outdoorswoman who loved hiking and exploring the mountains. She especially loved bears and was always on the lookout for them during her outdoor adventures.

Lois was a talented painter who worked primarily in acrylics. Her beautiful paintings featured mountain scenery, bears and other animals, rivers, and peaceful water landscapes. Through her art, she captured the beauty of the natural world that she loved so much.

And then there was Lois’s love of music and dance! She particularly enjoyed hip-hop music and loved to dance. After retiring, she continued attending dance classes twice a week for an incredible 20 years. Her commitment to dancing reflected her enthusiasm for life, her energy, and her determination to keep doing the things that brought her joy. It was simply part of who Lois was.

Lois was also very proud of her Finnish heritage. Her mother’s family, including her grandparents, had emigrated from Finland, and Lois maintained a strong connection to those roots throughout her life. She kept close ties with the Finnish community in Michigan, returned to visit her Finnish cousins, and enjoyed attending FinFest festivals. Her heritage and the family traditions connected to it remained an important part of her identity.

Although Lois never married or had children of her own, family and close relationships were very important to her. She shared a special bond with her cousin Larry King. After retiring, Lois moved to Grass Valley, California, to be closer to Larry, Nancy King and her children, Katie and Sky, whom she considered her extended family. Although she and her sister, Lil,”Tootsie” were separated from each other early on, they reconnected during her college years and spent time together in the midwest and in Florida with Lil’s family enjoying festivals and going on cruises, enjoying boat rides wherever she went.

Lois is survived by her beloved sister, Lil Doody, and her husband, Edward; her nephews, Jerry Doody and his wife, Karen, and Jacob Doody; her niece, Anja Doody; and her grandnephews, Dragan Nikin and Lachlan Nikin. She will also be lovingly remembered by Nancy, Katie, and Sky King and the many friends and extended family members whose lives she touched.

Lois lived life on her own terms. She was compassionate yet independent, artistic yet practical, adventurous yet deeply connected to her friends and her roots. She spent her life helping others, creating beautiful things, exploring the outdoors, building her own financial independence, and finding joy in music, dance, and the people she loved.

Her life was a testament to perseverance and the importance of continuing to find beauty and joy along the way. She leaves behind her paintings, the memories of her adventures, the lives she helped change, and the love she shared with those fortunate enough to know her.

Her Celebration of Life will take place at Nancy King’s House in the Spring of 2027.

Rocky trail, but steady feet. Lois will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.