Dorothy M. Shusta

WEST BOYLSTON – Dorothy M. (Follansbee) Shusta, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 10, 2018 under the loving care of her family and the compassionate staff at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester. Her beloved husband of 67 years, Andrew Shusta Sr., died in 2010. Born in Clinton on May 20, 1919 and raised in Lancaster, Dorothy was the daughter of Harold S. Follansbee and Catherine (Heald) Follansbee and lived 53 years in West Boylston before moving to the Briarwood Retirement Community in 2009.After graduating high school in Lancaster, Dorothy began her nursing career and received her training as a children's nurse at Crawford-Allen Hospital on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. When the hospital was stranded by tree-blocked roads during the catastrophic 1938 hurricane, she helped the staff comfort terrified children paralyzed by polio, leading them in song by candlelight as howling winds ripped off shingles and uprooted trees, with enormous waves pounding the shore. She later worked as a private children's nurse in Rhode Island and for the Thayer family of Lancaster.In 1942, Dorothy married Andrew (Andy) Shusta who served overseas in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After his return they resided in Clinton before moving to West Boylston in 1957.Dorothy enjoyed her friends and activities at Briarwood and Knollwood, especially the musical programs. On her behalf, the family wishes to thank the staff for their kindness and support.She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her children, Joan Harvey and husband William of Florida; Andrea Albert and husband Thomas of South Carolina; John Shusta and wife Mary Lee of Petersham; Judith Inch, widow of Timothy, of South Carolina; and Andrew Shusta Jr. and wife Lynda of West Boylston a sister, Susanne Follansbee Groom and husband Howard of Mississippi; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; cousins, Marcia DiGregorio, Judith Willing, and Eugene Heald; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Dorothy was predeceased by two brothers, Walter and Robert Follansbee. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family from 10 to 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 21, at Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Street (Rte.12), Sterling, followed by a funeral service honoring her life at 11:00 am. Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to a charity of one’s choice. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Guest Book" on this page.