Dorothy Balaty Obituary

Balaty

Dorothy "Dottie" Louise

Balaty

December 18, 1935

January 10, 2022



Dottie Balaty passed away January 10, 2022 in Colorado Springs at age 86. She was born December 18, 1935, to Robert and Edna Kile in Denver, CO. Dottie had many passions, but her biggest passion was helping others and making a difference in people's lives. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse so she could exercise that passion and help those in need. She worked as a nurse for both Penrose & Memorial Hospitals for over 30 years, mostly in labor and delivery. "Dot," as she was known to her patients, would receive numerous flowers, gifts, thank you cards and letters of Love from those whom she had cared for. One of her cherished moments was being one of the nurses that delivered the first Triplets to be born in Colorado Springs. She was not just a nurse, but a special soul that those who had the fortune of having her at their bedside will never forget.



When she walked into a room, she made an impression on everyone with her zany and colorful personality. She was always the life of the party with a fire burning and a twinkle in her eye that never stopped and had you wondering what was next. Dottie had a unique way of creating a bond with every person she met. Her eccentric antics and "out there" conversations had even the most straightlaced and serious people convinced they were allowed to smile. She loved Baseball and watched every Cubbies and Rockies game she could. "Back in the day", she loved the Denver Broncos as well. Those who knew her well, knew to never call or interrupt her games.



Bowling was another passion of hers! There is not a bowling alley around that "Dottie" didn't leave her mark. She was in many leagues over the years with her mother, daughters and friends and cherished the tournaments she traveled all over the US for and even to Canada. Her home was decorated with the many trophies, badges and awards she had accumulated. When she was told she could not bowl any longer because of carpal tunnel and arthritis in her right hand, in true Dottie fashion, instead of letting that stop her, she taught herself to bowl with her left hand. When that hand suffered the same fate, she volunteered by helping blind bowlers enjoy the game as well.



Traveling was also a passion of hers whether it was the bowling league travels, Las Vegas or her "trip of a lifetime". To fund her "many times a year" trips to Las Vegas, she recycled newspapers and cans. She would stop on a dime to grab a stray can or newspaper somebody had thrown out. The back of her car would drag coming out of the driveway or across speedbumps because of how weighted down the trunk was with recycling. She went by herself most times, but her friends and family daringly accompanied her on many of those trips as well. The stories they could (and do) tell!!!



Her "once-in-a lifetime", dream vacation was flying on the fastest airplane, riding the fastest train and sailing on the fastest cruise liner, all in one trip. She flew on the Concorde from New York to London, took the Eurostar Train to Southampton Port and then boarded the luxury cruise liner The Queen Elizabeth II to come home. On the QE II, throughout the tip she was seated at dinner with "The" Tom Clancy and his new wife. They had dinner every night aboard the ship along with several other new friends from around the world. Dottie LOVED this experience and loved to tell the stories including how Tom Clancy explained how to eat the fiery bananas foster. There is no doubt that Tom Clancy and her other new friends would forever remember the Fiery Redhead from the QE II.



She gave so much of her heart that there just wasn't enough of it left to keep her going any longer. Dottie passed peacefully at her home with her family by her side. She often mentioned one of the things she will miss most when she leaves this earth is her cherished Grandchildren and Great Grandchild. She was so excited to meet her yet-to-be-born twin Great Grandchildren later this year. She just gets to meet them sooner than the rest of us. Every one of the grandchildren has a story about Gramma Bee and the Golden Corral, jumping in puddles and other antics she lovingly shared with them that they will laugh about for eternity.

Eternity is where Gramma Bee's beautiful personality and character will live in all of us. She was the most loving, caring, zany, unpredictable, unforgettable, and amazingly colorful person anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her would ever encounter.



Dottie is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Robert and Edna, her husband, Robert Balaty Sr and her brother, Charles Kile. She is survived by her Sister Lavonne Ritter, her Children Robert Jr. (Judy), Cindy (Jeffrey) and Kathleen (Will), her Grandchildren Ryan (Colleen), Tyler, Tanner, Trevor, Travis, Taryn, Dani-Lynn and Kylee and her three Great Grandchildren Aspen, James and William.



Please contact The Springs Funeral Services for the January 25th Memorial Service Information at 719-328-1793 or online www.tsfs.co.



The Family welcomes your attendance. Per Dottie's request, please wear "Anything but Black" as she wanted everybody to focus on remembering and celebrating COLORFUL Dottie.