Dorothy A. Bastian

1927 - 2024

Dorothy A. Bastian
Born: February 11, 1927
Died: August 8, 2024
Dorothy A. Bastian, 97, of Hinckley, Illinois, passed away at home on Thursday, August 8th, 2024. She was born on February 11, 1927 in Chicago, IL, daughter of Charles and Agnes (Vavrik) Doruska. Dorothy graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Berwyn,IL and after graduating she attended nursing classes, and even though she did not finish, education was always a great part of her life. Later in life, she started taking classes at Waubonsee Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Travel Agency at age 65. Her motivation to live boldly, travel, take care of her family, and gather with loved ones & friends were her reasons for living and she did those things until the very end.
Dorothy was united in marriage with Allan Bastian at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Hinckley, IL on July 14th, 1979 and spent the next 41 years happily together.
She was a strong woman who was a most social person, making friends her entire life. No matter where she was, she could strike up a conversation with someone and have a laugh. Attending celebrations were her favorite pastimes.
Dorothy worked her whole life in a variety of jobs: School bus driver for District #300, Motorola, Western Electric, and Ron'sTap in Hinckley where she was the short order cook. The latter turned out to be a life-changing one because she met her husband Allan there. This was one of her values that she instilled in her children: the value and dignity of WORK.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother. Her love of family was never-ending. The love she had for each and every family member was incredible. She always found time to attend family celebrations and was there to help out when needed. Her deviled eggs and tuna salad were known far and wide. She loved her many friends in her Saturday morning bakery bunch, AT&T Girls, and special friend Jane.
Dorothy was very patriotic all of her life because of her love of the United States. The beginning of World War 2 happened during her teenage years, and many friends went into the army during her high school years, which had a real impact on her. She was very proud of her husband Allan's service in the 101st Airborne Division of the Army and attended many meetings and conventions with him around the USA. The pinnacle was when they went for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, which he was a part of, and toured the many countries in Europe of his deployment with his Band of Brothers.
She was very civically-minded, socially conscious, and tuned-in to her greater community. Dorothy was always involved in community activities and always supported
dinners, bake sales, and school activities. She was a leader of a Brownie Troop for her daughters, supporter of the Hinckley Historical Museum and other local historical societies, a member of the Farm Bureau and attended many of their programs, and loved the activities she attended at the Fox Valley Senior Center. She was past president of the Czech Society in Berwyn, IL and loved to attend their meetings with ethnic Czech/Bohemian food and go to their yearly conventions around the Midwest.
She took lifelong learning seriously and was constantly reading newspapers or watching the news to learn new things, all the while thinking of others and cutting out articles whenever she saw something of interest to her family while reading her newspapers. Dorothy never missed an opportunity to be generous and was a master of correspondence through letter and telephone. She was extremely generous and admirably practical. She recycled even before the word was invented. She loved talking about genealogy and enjoyed sharing all she had researched over her decades of learning. Until the end, she enjoyed talking on the phone and hearing stories of what was happening with all, and especially what was new in the lives of her grandchildren.
Have Suitcase - Will Travel: Dorothy's love of learning contained a focus on travel, far and wide, as she ventured all around the USA, especially at historical sites and National Parks, even Alaska and Hawaii. She ventured far to China, Japan, Tahiti, and many parts of Europe. She was very motivated to pass her drivers' test, all the way up to her 97th year, which helped her maintain her independence. She loved to drive. Her knowledge of directions, roadways, and travel tips were matched only by GoogleMaps.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters, Patricia (Ronald) Novak of Rock Falls, IL, Beverly Hoey of Ocala, Florida, and Roberta Tangora (Rocky) of Yorkville, IL. She had great affection for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great, grandchildren and will be deeply missed. She was the beloved Auntie Dot to her three nieces.
Dorothy will be deeply missed by her children, other family, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Allan Bastian, her son Wally Ellen, her son-in-law Tom Hoey, and daughters-in-law Lana and Bonnie, as well as Dorothy's brother Chuck and his wife Sandy.
The family is grateful for the care Dorothy received from Devine Hospice Care of Yorkville and for the loving care she received from her dedicated granddaughter Shar, who was her primary caregiver and lived with her for her last months and other loving family members who helped her during her last days.
Odvážnému št?stí p?eje. Czech for "fortune favors the bold": our bold Dorothy Bastian. We treasure that she was ours.
A Memorial Celebration of Life for her family will be held for her in the future.
Memorials can be directed to Hinckley Public Library.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes of Hinckley and Yorkville, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 553-7611.