Arts Legacy of a 'Grande Dame' Plays On
Doris Shields Doris Shields, an arts pioneer, philanthropist and inspirational teacher and community leader, died Sunday, Aug. 10 of natural causes at her home in Laguna Beach. She was 92.
Shields' grace and charm mixed with unstoppable determination changed the cultural arts landscape of the community with her many contributions over many decades.
"She just lived so fully," said granddaughter Erin Shields. "I was so much in awe of her. We were like soul sisters. She was beyond a grandmother to me."
To her family she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and motherin law and to Laguna Beach a friend and role model.
"Doris Shields was the 'grande dame' of the arts in Laguna Beach," said Carol Reynolds, founder of the Laguna Community Concert Band. "Dancer, singer, entertainer, conductor, director, teacher, organizer, leader, performer, visionary, musician and trailblazer for arts organizations, Doris always led the way for all of us who wished to follow."
At a 90th birthday celebration held in Shields' honor at the Laguna Art Museum in 2006, Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda described her regard for a woman with a reputation for getting things done with grace. "She's my role model. Doris is talented, charming, intelligent and creative. She brought gifts to the city that are unparalleled."
Photo by Marilyn Thomas Doris Shields during a 1999 farewell address at a performance in Bluebird Park, retires from producing the Music in the Park program. Surely, Shields' most appreciated gift was her pet project, Concert in the Park, which she joyfully produced for nearly two decades. Established in 1983, she handed over the task in 1999 to the city's cultural arts manager, Sian Poeschl. "Doris had a philosophy. She felt it was extremely important that the audience consider the event as their party, that they be personally welcomed, the mood be of a family party and gathering," Poeschl said. "She certainly took this to heart, personally welcoming everyone at the gate, strolling through the park during the concert and charming the band and volunteer sound engineer."
Shields' left an indelible imprint at multiple arts venues.
She also directed and developed the Pageant of the Masters chorale, which evolved into the Saddleback Master Chorale; conceptualized the first dance days on Main Beach, then called Arts in Motion; helped establish the city's Arts Commission; served as musical director for the Laguna and Pasadena Playhouse; co-founded Opera Pacific and created "A Salute to Shakespeare" productions.
In addition, Shields was a long-time supporter and member of Designing Women, which supports the Laguna College of Art and Design, as well as Laguna Art Museum and Orange County Philharmonic Society among others.
Shields' contributions were well recognized. She was honored by the local Woman's Club as woman of the year in 2000; as the Patriots' Day Parade citizen of the year in 2004; and as the Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds award winner in 1999.
Granddaughter Erin Shields said, "I feel like she had such a gift to share with the world; instead she chose Laguna Beach and shared in a worldly way."
Doris Shields was born Oct. 18, 1915, to Harold and Lillian Asher in Buffalo, N.Y. When she was five, her family moved to the Los Angeles area. Doris graduated from Orange High School and at age 18 met a handsome Laguna Beach lifeguard, Bill Shields. They married in 1936 and had two sons, Don and Bob.
Don fondly recalls professional musicians rehearsing in their backyard when he was younger. His mother also started a music studio in their home and taught voice.
"I remember most about mom from an early time, in her young life, she sang to me at night. When my grandma was done reading a story, I wanted my mom to come in and sing. That was a regular thing every night," Don said.
Erin loved her grandmother's imagination and her ability to describe everyday objects and make them into something beautiful with her expressive use of language.
"She would see a rock and bring the world to a halt. She was such a teacher to me, a teacher of the moment," Erin said.
Shields told her granddaughter she felt ageless and that her soul was about age 18, if she had to pick a number.
Friends remarked that although Shields will be greatly missed, she timed her earthly departure well, while the music was playing on a Sunday at Bluebird Park.
Shields is survived by her son, Don and his wife, Jean; daughterin law, Christine; grandchildren, Melissa Rooks and her husband, Phil; Erin Shields, Joshua Shields, William Shields, and Jay Shields and his wife, Eileen; great-grandsons, Christopher, Cameron and Aaron Rooks; and many friends. Husband, Bill, and son, Bob, preceded Shields in death.
A memorial celebration of her life is planned for the Shields' bench, "A Rocky Ledge" in Laguna Beach's Heisler Park on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. Friends and colleagues are invited to share their reminiscences of Shields at the event.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Doris R. Shields Benefit For The Arts in care of Wells Fargo Bank at 260 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
