Doe Doe Shin (1935–2012)
By Do Hen Pau
Do Hen Pau, born in Myanmar, studied in mission schools and completed his advanced studies at Spicer Memorial College, India. He worked in various capacities from 1969 to 2010 as an evangelist, assistant pastor, translator, bookkeeper/accountant, secretary-treasurer, assistant union treasurer, union treasurer, and manager of the Kinsaung Publishing House.
First Published: January 29, 2020
Doe Doe Shin served the Kinsaung Publishing House and the Union Book Depot in Myanmar for 33 years.
Doe Doe Shin was born on April 7, 1935, in Yangon (formerly Rangoon), Myanmar (formerly Burma), to U Yan Shin and Daw Mai Zin, an Adventist family. His father was a policeman. The Yan Shins had three children, Doe Doe, Rita, and Tin Tun, who all spent their childhood in Rangoon.1
Doe Doe Shin attended ABM High School in Yangon from primary education to matriculation (1941-1952). He was baptized in 1952 at age 17. On June 16, 1962, he married Naw Toe Sein at Ahsai Village, Htugyi City, Ayeyarwady Division. She was baptized in 1962. She studied up to 4th standard in a government primary school at Ahsai Village. The Doe Doe Shins had six children, Lonnie, Kenny, Annie, Tun Lin, Tun Tun Nay, and Junnie.2 Naw Toe Sein died on June 21, 1982, in Yangon. On July 7, 1983, Doe Doe Shin remarried to Naw Ler Mu at Pahdoe Village, Nyaunglebin Township, Myanmar. She was baptized in 1980. They had three daughters, Jennifer, Dephany, and Stephany. In total, Doe Doe Shin had nine children, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.3
Doe Doe Shin was initially employed as a printer at Kinsaung Publishing House from 1952-1961. He was sent to Oriental Watchman Publishing House, Pune, India, as an apprentice for a year in 1962. On his return, he was promoted to foreman for three years (1963-1965)4 and was then appointed as the manager for 16 years (1965-1981).5 Altogether, he served at the Kinsaung Publishing House for 30 years. He was transferred to the union headquarters as the manager of Union Book Depot for four years (1981-1984).6
Doe Doe Shin retired from the Union of Myanmar on January 1, 1985, and the whole family settled down at his wife’s village in Pahdoh, Nyaunglaybin Township, Myanmar. On November 11, 2012, Doe Doe Shin died due to kidney failure at age 77.7 He was a hard-working, exemplary, devoted, and faithful administrator.
Sources
Burma Union Committee minutes, Action No. 65 – 7, 1965. Myanmar Union Mission Archives, Yangon, Myanmar.
Workers Service Records retained in files of Employing Organization. Myanmar Union Mission Archives, Yangon, Myanmar.
Notes
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Rita Zan, personal knowledge as a granddaughter of Doe Doe Shin being eye witness to his life and knowledgeable about his ministry until his death.↩
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Workers Service Records, retained in files of Employing Organization. MYUM Archives.↩
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Rita Zan, interview by author, October 2017.↩
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Workers Service Records, retained in files of Employing Organization. MYUM Archives.↩
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Burma Union Committee Minutes, Action No. 65 – 7, 1965. MYUM Archives.↩
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Workers Service Records, retained in files of Employing Organization. MYUM Archives.↩
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Ibid.↩