NORWICH – Dorothy E. Shipton, 85, long-time resident of Hoag-Childs Road in Norwich, passed away Friday evening, Aug. 24, 2007, in the Residential Health Care Facility at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Cobleskill in April of 1922, Dorothy was the daughter of William “Bill” and Nellie (Mead) Rifanburg. A 1940 graduate of the Norwich High School, she married George “Sam” Shipton in Norwich on Aug. 2, 1941, in a double wedding ceremony with Joyce and Jim Gould who presently reside in Seattle, Wash. Dorothy was a hard worker who assisted Sam as she could on the family farm while working first for Berglas Manufacturing, then the Norwich Knitting Mill, and later the Norwich Shoe Factory. In 1945, the Shiptons purchased their farm on Hoag-Childs Road, with Dorothy continuing to help as she was able. Dorothy lived on the farm for 60 years, remaining there after Sam’s passing on June 9, 1996. In her young years, Dorothy enjoyed square-dancing, camping and fishing, and was an avid deer hunter. One of her pleasures was to host Thanksgiving dinner for the Shipton and Rifanburg families. She was also a very caring person and helped anyone who was in need.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Jim Shipton of Norwich, and daughter, Jean Blackman and husband Larry of Preston; by her brother, Norman “Smoke” Rifanburg of Norwich; her special niece whom she helped raise from birth, Pam Donnelly and husband Bob along with their children Josh and Mikayla; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Sam’s brother Paul and his sisters, Margaret, Catherine, Olive, and Birdella. In addition to her husband Sam, Dorothy was predeceased by her brothers, George, Clifford, Whitney and Robert Rifanburg, and her sister, Irene Ethel Miles.
Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment will follow in Warn TenBroeck Cemetery of Oxford. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Preston Emergency Squad, c/o Bill Ahearn. 205 South Road, Norwich, NY 13815.