Shirley Martin Dorland, age 90, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family as she moved on to be with God.
Her Journey:
Born on October 24, 1935, in Mannford, Creek County, Oklahoma, Shirley was the cherished daughter of the late Clyde E Martin and Ruth Alma (Vowell) Martin. Her early life took her to Lansing, Michigan, before she followed her sister, Peggy, to Washington, D.C. It was there, while proudly serving her country in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, that she met the love of her life, Chalmers Leslie “Bill” Dorland. The two were wed on April 2, 1960, and went on to build a beautiful life together in Fairfax, Virginia.
A Life of Service, Song, and Creativity:
Shirley was a familiar and reassuring face to generations of children in her community, serving dedicatedly as a bus driver for Fairfax County Public Schools for over 20 years. Beyond her career, Shirley possessed a vibrant spirit and a love for music, building lasting friendships through her active participation in the Sweet Adelines International singing organization.
An adventurous soul, Shirley had a profound love for travel, driving cross-country and exploring destinations all around the world. She was also an incredibly talented artisan. Driven by a passion for woodworking, Shirley and Bill bought property in the Shenandoah Valley, where they built their own family cabin from the ground up. In her later years, she channeled her creativity into beautiful wood carvings. Upon retirement, Shirley moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she held a special place in her neighborhood as the very first residents of the Falls Run retirement community. She also developed an avid love of pickleball.
Her Legacy:
Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chalmers “Bill” Dorland, and her two sisters, Alma Jean Gilreath and Peggy J Bechtold.
She leaves behind a rich legacy of love, strength, and independence. She is survived by her three children: her daughter, Teresa “Terri” Streets (Kevin); son, Keith Dorland (Sonja), and son Kris Dorland (Sue Ellen).
She was a proud and loving grandmother to her grandchildren: Justin Streets, Jonathon Dorland, Stephen Dorland, Katlyn Dorland, Adam Dorland, Joshua Dorland and Alisa Marie McAlister. Her spark lives on in her precious great-grandchildren: Hayleigh McGinnis, Josua Alvarado, Jayce Dorland-Alvarado, Isabella Dorland, Kai McAlister, Ella McAlister and Phoenix McAlister.
There will be a graveside service on June 18, 2026 1:00pm at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S.Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306.
