Shirley Doncaster

February 19, 1940 – October 28, 2025

Shirley Viola (Riegel) Doncaster, 85, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Shirley was born on February 19, 1940 to Wallace Riegel and Viola (Buchanan) Riegel in Newport, Vermont.  She was the fifth of nine children; four older and four younger siblings. She grew up and attended schools in Newport.

Shirley's first marriage gave her two sons. In 1979, she married the love of her life, Otis R. Doncaster. Shirley, who always had a mind for numbers, started her working career in the office of JJ Newberry's, then worked her remaining years at Chittenden Trust Bank in a variety of positions until her retirement in 1995.

Shirley enjoyed riding back country roads, gardening with Otis, and spending time with family. Her favorite past times were spoiling their beagle, playing games, and watching Red Sox baseball, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune.  Sunday dinners were a regular event; she was an amazing cook whose specialty dishes will be greatly missed. She was a strong woman and had the good fortune of counting herself a breast cancer survivor. She was also a dedicated and compassionate caregiver to Otis for many years.

She is survived by her brother, William "Bill" (Jackie) Riegel, her sisters, Francis "DeeDee" (Richard) Morse, Mary Blais, and Nancy Cole; her children, Rocky (Gail) Lontine, Joseph Lontine, Robert "Otis" Doncaster; her grandchildren, Amber Lontine (Steve) Moulton, Andrea Lontine (fiancé Jessica Garrant), Karlee Doncaster, Ty Doncaster, and her great-granddaughter Kaylee Moulton, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children, all of whom were well loved by Shirley.

She was predeceased by her parents, Wallace and Viola Riegel, her brother, Wallace Riegel Jr., her sisters, Dorothy "Dot" (Harold) Corkins, Josephine "Jo" Morrow, Beverly "Betty" (Armand) Blais, and her husband, Otis Doncaster.

We wish to thank Louise Handy for Shirley's incredible at-home care and the staff at the Union House in Glover for their excellent care as her health declined.  We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

A graveside ceremony will be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery at 95 Pine Grove Drive in Newport, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, PO Box 125, Newport, VT 05855.