Dorothy A. Koballa

WILMINGTON - Dorothy "Dottie" Armstrong Koballa, of Wilmington, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She was born in Manchester, N.H. on July 27, 1926, the daughter of the late Thomas Armstrong and Mary McGoff Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Thomas Raymond Koballa and her son, Michael A. Koballa. Dottie graduated from St. Joseph's Girls Catholic High School and from Carney Hospital Nursing School in South Boston, Mass. in 1947. In 1950, she was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1954. The family moved to Fayetteville where they resided for more than 35 years. As a civil service employee she served as head registered nurse at the General Medical Clinic in Womack Army Medical Center for more than 20 years. During her life she enjoyed spending time with family and friends in their second home at Holden Beach. Surviving are four children, Thomas R. Koballa, Jr. and wife Dava of Athens, Ga., Donna M. Scroggins and husband Stacy of Jupiter, Fla., Dennis S. Koballa and wife Anne of Durham and Patrick J. Koballa and wife Cheryl of Wrightsville Beach; ten grandchildren, Kendal Koballa, Christopher McMillan, Matthew McMillan, Brett Scroggins, Michael Koballa Jr., Kate Koballa, Emily Koballa, Sam Koballa, Erin Koballa and Kasey Koballa; and two great-grandchildren, Reese and Jake McMillan. A vigil prayer service will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in Andrews Mortuary Market Street chapel. The family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff of New Hanover Medical Group on College Road, the staff at Champions Assisted Living and to Valerie Moreau and her group of ladies that provided special care for Dottie during her final year of life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark's Catholic Church, 1013 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403; or The Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. Condolences sent to the family at andrewsmortuary.com. Andrews Mortuary & Crematory of Wilmington.