Doris Marie Shoup

Born in Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania

May 31, 1925

Doris was born in a house in Waterford, PA

Her father was Harvey Wickwire who was born in Erie, PA

Her mother was Mary Ella Gryder Wickwire born in Alabama

Her favorite hymn is “How Great Thou Art”

She wished her ashes to be buried at the Waterford, Pennsylvania cemetery in the Wickwire family plot.

Doris grew up in Waterford being raised by Florence Black, as her mother Mary Ella had died. The Black family became her family during that time and have been considered family ever since. They have always been a part of her life. Elizabeth and Rene are my cousins and have always been special to Doris.

She had two sisters: Betty and Helen, and a brother, Albert, who has already passed.

When Doris graduated from Waterford High School in 1943, she went to work in Erie.

During WWII she worked for Lord Manufacturing making war equipment.

Then, she worked at General Electric making refrigerators in Erie, PA.

In later years she worked at W.T. Grant in Erie and in Hammond, Indiana. Then she worked at Butler Brothers after moving to Californian in 1961.

Finally, she worked for the United States Post Office in Van Nuys, CA retiring in 1989.

Some hobbies were photography, country music, and gardening. She loved taking pictures of anything, including trees, flowers, animals, her grandchildren and anything else that caught her eye. She loved Johnny Cash, and even named her Cocker Spaniel after him.

She loved animals and had many dogs and cats over the years.

She also made a point of remembering birthdays and anniversaries of family members. She sent cards out every year until the end of 2020.

Doris married her dream man, Virgil Glen Shoup in 1946 in Erie, Pa. He was so handsome, but unfortunately he had some health issues. Things were very poor at the time in Erie and he had trouble finding work sometimes. After having two girls, Kathy and Barbara, he died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 29 in 1950. That left her with two small girls to raise and feed (ages 3 and 1). She lived on a farm for several years and grew all her food, raised chickens, canned anything she could for the winter months. Made homemade bread, noodles. She even trapped rabbits and squirrels to eat. A real pioneer woman.

In 1957 she decided to take her girls and move to Illinois near Chicago. Start a new life. This allowed her to live near her sister, Betty. She worked at W.T. Grants for 2 years, but decided to go back to Erie. Her small family lived there until February of 1961 when she was enticed to move to California. It was quite a trip driving cross country with a U-Haul behind the car. Kathy and Barbara became California Girls, like the Beach Boys song says. She worked at W.T. Grants and Butler Brothers, department stores, then after moving to San Fernando Valley she was able to work for the U.S. Postal Service. She was a mail sorter during the night shift. She was able to buy a house, and was always going to see country western bands play. Also, she had some friends who would travel to California to see Jazz bands. She was always having fun.

During her vacations she would take the girls on camping trips all over. They went to: Florida to visit her sister in Miami, Yellowstone National Park and the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and of course, Niagara Falls. Doris loved nature and taking pictures of God's creation.

She had a few international excursions including: Italy with her sister, Betty, an island getaway with friends in Hawaii, and an amazing cruise down the Pacific coast through the Panama Canal and to the Bahamas.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Jean Shoup Rascon. Her other daughter, Barbara Ann Shoup Poncher, passed away in 2002 unexpectedly, but lives on in our memories with Doris.

She was so proud of her grandchildren, Damon Bonaccorso, Andrea Burns, Christiaan Rascon and Keith Poncher. As a great-great grandma she has Jordyn and Breeanna, Jake and Alexis, Aiden, Zyla, and Draven. And as a great-great grandma Breeana’s children, Kayden, Karson and Azlynn. They are her pride and joy, such blessings to her.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins (Jennifer, Lisa, Jack, Kelly, Elizabeth and Rene to name a few) who live in all parts of the country, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, California. One niece even lives in South Africa.

Doris was a faithful Christian and loved Jesus. She grew up as a Methodist, and loved going to church and singing the hymns. Doris attended Sherman Oaks Methodist Church for years in the San Fernando Valley. After moving to Orange County to be closer to Kathy in 2008 she started attending the Orange County Church of Christ with Kathy. In 2010 she studied the Bible with friends and was baptized and declared Jesus Lord of her life!

Her last years were spent living in a Board and Care in Lake Forest, California. Her caregivers Dennis and Ellen De La Cruz and Virginia became family to Doris and Kathy’s family. Many Fridays were spent playing scrabble with other residents, and she always was ecstatic to watch Dodger Baseball. Doris loved the Angels and Cubs (Cubbies as she called them) as well. It was so exciting in 2020 when the Dodgers finally won the World Series. She was so happy. She was also very active in American politics, always making sure she voted every time a poll came up, even last November. It was very important to her.

She was given a long life, 95 years, but has finally been given the rest she desired with Jesus. We pray she has been reunited with her husband ,Virgil, her daughter, Barbara, her sisters, Betty and Helen, and her brother, Albert. She never knew her mother Mary Ella, but can you imagine that reunion? What a party they are having.

Thank you all for the lovely prayers and love that has been bestowed on Kathy and her family. I hope Doris knew what an amazing impact she had on so many people. She was opinionated, a fighter, and spoke her mind, but she always loved people and wanted everyone to be happy and enjoy life. I hope she will be remembered that way, and by her beautiful smile.

Psalm 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.

He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou

art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

As was mentioned, Doris loved animals so in lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Humane Society in your local area or to the national Humane Society.

www.humanesociety.org