Dolors M. Shekleton

Dolors Shekleton passed from this life on May 11, 2026, at the age of 82 in her home with her husband Jim holding her left hand and her son Brian holding her right hand. The world has one less bright, friendly face and one less voice for justice and human dignity.  

Dolors Martorell Oller came of age in Parets del Vallès, now an exurb of Barcelona. An optimist by nature, Dolors moved to the United States as a 30-year-old newlywed. She knew very little English. Eventually it became the 4th of 5 languages she spoke fluently. She earned a BA from the University of Oregon and a MA in Spanish literature from the University of Minnesota.

Equality and human dignity were defining factors in her life. Those who demeaned others in her presence quickly felt Dolors’ ferocity. Her sense of justice was fostered by her family, her community, and the Catholic Church. In post-civil war Spain, the fascist dictator, Generalissimo Franco outlawed pro-democracy actions, Catalonia’s democratic traditions, and her native Catalan language, but the Catalan people would not surrender their language or culture. The nonviolent struggle for equality and respect grew into cultural norms.

Through Catholic organizations, especially Pax Christi, Dolors worked to promote democracy and peace in Spain and Europe. Secret police monitored Pax Christi’s activities, and armed paramilitary police tried to deter pro-democracy gatherings, sometimes detaining and torturing people thought to be activists. The Troubles in Northern Ireland drew Pax Christi to Ireland in 1972. Despite the recent Bloody Sunday shooting of 26 unarmed civilians by British soldiers, Dolors traveled to Ireland for Pax Christi’s pan-European gathering. She met Jim in front of Dublin’s International Youth Hostel. Three days later, he decided that Pax Christi’s gathering needed an American representative! They spent the next ten days walking the hundred miles from Cork to Kilkenny. After the official gathering, Dolors still wanted to see for herself how The Troubles inflamed the communities in Northern Ireland, so she took a bus up to Belfast. She entered a war zone, going from roadblock to roadblock.

Maybe because Dolors knew how to face danger, life’s beauty was not lost on her. She loved the life she shared with Jim as they pursued their degrees, raised Brian, moved for jobs, and ultimately saw the fruit of the sacrifices they made as young adults. Through it all, Dolors enjoyed hiking, photography, painting, and traveling, as the art and photographs throughout the family home highlight.

Reflecting her love of learning, Dolors worked at both the city and state libraries in Pierre. She treasured the times she could help children enjoy learning, especially children whose homes were not filled with books.

Dolors eventually developed Alzheimer’s, and Jim cared for her until the end. She leaves behind her husband of 52 years, James F. Shekleton, their son Brian Shekleton, daughter-in-law Jenna Covey, aunt Reme Huertas Garcia, brother-in-law John Shekleton, sister-in-law Elena Riera Oliver, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Joan Martorell Pera and Maria Oller Vilarrasa, her brother Sebastià Martorell Oller, and Joan Oller Vilarrasa, her dear Tiet, an uncle who was four years older and was like a brother to her and Tià. (Joan is the Catalan version of John)

 Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2026 will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 145 Jersey Ave S. Golden Valley, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to: Catholic Relief Services or Catholic Charities