Dorothy Hyacinth (Shepherd) Harvey of Staunton, VA, died peacefully at home on Friday, February 24, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.


She was born in Graham, NC, the daughter of Claude Wellons Shepherd and Sally Molisa Catherine (Dimont) Shepherd.


She studied nursing at Atlantas Grady Hospital, then joined the U.S. Navy as a nurse, serving in Charleston, SC, and Lakehurst, NJ. during World War II. In Lakehurst, she met and married Cmdr. Robert W. Harvey, also serving in the navy as a blimp pilot. In the early 1950s, the family settled in Northern Virginia. After her husbands retirement, they lived in Kilmarnock, VA. Dorothy moved to Staunton in 1989, after the death of her husband.


Dorothy was the proud mother of four children, Barbara A. Bacon, of Alexandria, VA, Claude W. (Bill) Harvey, of Jasper, GA, Daniel Lee Harvey (deceased), and David R. Harvey of Churchville, VA. Loving grandmother to Bonnie, David, Melissa, Christopher, Melanie, Josh, Sean, and Shenan, and great-grandmother to 11.


She is survived by sisters Mary Shepherd of Staunton, VA, and Roberta Stutts of Winston-Salem, NC. Her lovely smile and shy sense of humor will be fondly remembered by many relatives and friends across Virginia and the country.


The family will receive visitors at Coffman Funeral Home, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, VA, on Monday, February 27, from 6-8 pm.


Burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery at a later date, and a celebration of her life will be held in the coming weeks, date and location to be determined.


In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Augusta Health Foundation Hospice of the Shenandoah, Post Office Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22980 or Valley Mission, 1513 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA or the Augusta Free Clinic, Post Office Box 153, Fishersville, VA 22939


Coffman Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements.