Dorothy Louise Burkhart Colebaugh

Dorothy Louise Colebaugh, 97, of Charleston, SC, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

She was born on September 28, 1920 in Altoona, PA, daughter of the late Alga Nearhood Burkhart and the late Charles Edward Burkhart.

You could always count on Dorothy Colebaugh to greet you with a smile and a hug. She had an indomitable loving spirit, which was a gift to all those who knew her. Her family was her world. Her face lit up when playing with her generations of loved ones, from her children to her great great grandchildren. Every Christmas Eve she would host a party for the extended family, filling her home with raucous laughter, song, and the smell of delicious food. She loved to share a meal, whether one she cooked at home or one out at a restaurant, like at IHOP where they knew her by name.

Dorothy projected a perpetual playfulness. When asked what she was up to, she would frequently answer with a joke and a gleam in her eye, before slapping herself on the back of the hand for her transgression, saying “Bad Dotty Lou!”

She had a creative soul. Her workshop was always filled with her most recent projects. She made beautiful porcelain figures: dolls, lace-draped figurines, and ornaments. She sewed clothing and created ornate hats, bedecked in ribbons and velvet and feathers. It seemed she could craft anything. And, never stingy with her gifts, she taught those around her to do the same.

The simplest things could bring a smile to her face. She was happy to sit and play Scrabble for hours with her family. She loved classic musicals, Judy Garland, and listening to her family sing, even if off-key. She could be content just looking at the scenery of Charleston, South Carolina, watching the way the oak trees wrapped around the highway, dripping with Spanish moss. This sense of joy and wonder touched everyone who knew her. We count ourselves lucky to have known such a beautiful, playful, creative soul. She is deeply missed, and lives forever in our hearts.

Besides her parents, Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, David Clinton Colebaugh, Jr.; her sisters: Catherine Taylor, Marian Westbrook, Vivian Shively, and Joan Brandt; and her brother, Donald Burkhart.
She is survived by her daughters: Nancy Fansler (Thomas) of Indianapolis, IN; Carol Battles (Richard) of Charleston, SC; Judith Westendorff (Jamie) of Charleston, SC; her grandchildren: Thomas Fansler, III (Tina), David Fansler (Sandy), William Fansler (Rashmi), Elizabeth Kirsch (Scott), Jeanette O’Bryan (Joseph), Richard Battles, II (Barbara), Jennifer Mallard (Greg) and Jaime McBride (James); great-grandchildren: Thomas Fansler, IV (Allysa), David Fansler, Jr. (Stephanie), Katie Fansler, Alexa Overton, Kyler Overton, Akaash Fansler, Taylor Kirsch, Morgan Kirsch, Jessica Hayes, Jessica Hyatt, Jasmine Reagan (Roland), Juliette Hyatt, John Hyatt, Richard Battles, III, Robert Gregory Mallard, Jr., James Zackory Mallard, Jemma McBride and Julia McBride; great-great-grandchildren: Thomas Fansler, V, Jaylee Fansler, David Fansler, III, Brynlie Fanlser and Alexander Reagan; her sister, Anna Hess; brother, Charles Burkhart, Jr. (Pat) and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends one hour before the service on Sunday, June 24, 2018, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, with the memorial service at 2:00 PM, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1157 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley, 2501 Bees Ferry Road Charleston, South Carolina, 29414, 843-722-8371.