Obituary of Blossom Secrist

Dolly Secrist passed away in peace on February 5, 2013, just shy of her 95th birthday. A Celebration of Dolly's life will be held in the historic Chapel at The Academy, 970 Aurora, Boulder on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4 pm. Dolly's children will hold a private family ceremony in Fishkill, NY to inter her ashes alongside her maternal Grandmother who cared for her as a child. Born in Brooklyn, NY during the height of a nationwide flu pandemic in 1918, Dolly was the only child of Franklin and Hazel Wilson. She learned ballet at an early age and throughout her youth was often featured in performances and theater openings. Dolly graduated from the Shore Road Academy in Brooklyn. In 1938, Dolly married her husband of 52 years, Robert Secrist. After the war, the family moved to the Midwest and then to Virginia, before settling in Florida in 1955. Dolly would remain in Florida for 55 years, first in Melbourne and in retirement in Winter Park. Dolly led an active retirement, volunteering with the community theater, art guild, and community hospital. She was an officer in the Republican Woman's Club and her local Women's Club. She moved to Boulder, CO in 2009 and lived at The Academy until her death. She enjoyed reading, traveling, theater, Scrabble, crossword puzzles and was an avid Colorado Rockies fan. Her husband Robert, who died in 1990, preceded Dolly in death. She is survived by her four children; Lynne (Joseph d. 2011) of Glyndon, MD, Robert Jr. (Patricia) from Winter Park, FL, Richard (Patricia) of Charleston, SC and Ronald (Vickye) of Boulder. Affectionately known to all as "Granny", Dolly adored her 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Family Hospice Foundation, 1790 30th Street, Suite 308, Boulder, CO 80301. They are truly "angels on earth".