Obituary of Dorothy H. "Dot" Shull

Dorothy Anne Huffman Shull, 93-1/2, of Elizabethtown, PA, transitioned peacefully from life to Everlasting Life surrounded by her children on February 29, 2024, at the Masonic Village Health Care Center where she lived for two years. Born and raised in Harrisonburg, VA, she was the daughter of the late Leo S. Huffman and Blanche Deter Huffman. She was the loving and devoted wife of Dr. Carl N. Shull for more than 70 years before his passing in May 2023. 

Dot was a graduate of Harrisonburg H.S., Bridgewater College, and Northwestern University (M.M.). In 1953, she and Carl moved to Greensboro, NC, where Dot taught junior high music and English. They moved to Tallahassee, FL, in 1958 then to Elizabethtown in 1961. Over 35 years, Dot taught private piano lessons to more than 175 students and substituted in local public schools. As a trained organist, she substituted at several churches. She and Carl often performed inspiring organ-piano duets.

Dot was a lifelong Church of the Brethren member. She sang duets with her sister, served as a youth choir director and Sunday School teacher, sang in church choirs, and was a lay visitor with Carl. Her life and warmhearted treatment of others were testaments to her quiet but strong convictions and deep faith.

As a lover of nature, Dot planted flowers and shared their splendor. She made decorative cards from pressed blooms to lift others’ spirits. An accomplished oil and watercolor artist, she gave many paintings to family, friends, and those needing an expression of beauty. Dot appreciated drives in the country, redbud blooming in spring, walks in the woods, picnics, colorful fall foliage, and the magnificent hues of sunsets. She and Carl visited forty countries and all fifty states! Their respect for others earned them countless friends all over the world.

Her love for family was revealed by her concern for their welfare, activities, and personal needs. Family get-togethers were a very meaningful part of her life. Dot will be remembered for her kindness, patience, humility, soft Southern accent, lifelong bond to the Shenandoah Valley, lovely African violets, ability to play piano by ear, spontaneous singing, spice cake with caramel icing, and her enjoyment of loved ones playing their musical instruments. The family sincerely thanks all the persons who cared for her on Washington 3 and Evergreen, including the Hospice Team.

Dot is survived by children Susan Schoenberger (Robert), Jim Shull, and Nancy Becker (Delwayne); grandchildren Michael Schoenberger (Trisha), Andrew Schoenberger (Jamie), and Aaron, Lila and Samuel Becker; great-grandchildren Dallan, Tavan, Isla, Siena, and Lucca Schoenberger. All live in Elizabethtown except Jim who resides in Delta, PA. She is also survived by a sister Sue Ritchie (Dave) of Dayton, Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 30 at 11:00 AM at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 S. Mt. Joy Street. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00. Interment will occur at Woodbine Cemetery, Harrisonburg, VA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. To watch a livestream of the service, view https://www.youtube.com/c/ElizabethtownChurchoftheBrethren. To express a condolence, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.