Dorothy E. Blay

It is with profound sadness that we announce, Dorothy E. (Bristle) Blay, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025 in DePere, Wisconsin. Dorothy died peacefully, of natural causes, after a journey of 89 years. We know she is with the Lord, and overjoyed to see her husband, of whom she missed dearly after his passing, and her son and daughter who passed before her. Her daughter, Beth Ann, even went to be with the Lord on the same date, the 9th of March, with Beth Ann preceding her in death by 16 years. Mom, you made everywhere we were in life home. We are forever grateful for you. Although difficult, we know you are now walking with your Savior, who you have served all of your life, and the family you’ve missed dearly.

Dorothy, was born on July 5, 1935 in Roseville, Michigan to Emanuel and Wave (Bayless) Bristle. Dorothy raised her family, together with her husband, Fredrick J. Blay Jr., who preceded her in death in 2023. They were married after graduation in August of 1955. Dorothy obtained a ministerial license after graduation and taught Sunday School for many years, while dutifully bringing her children to church with her.

Aside from teaching Sunday School for many years, she helped in day cares and elderly homes throughout her life. With a true passion and calling for caretaking, chances are if you knew Dorothy, your relationship probably started off by her offering to help you in some way. Her passion for people probably started with being raised on a farm with a large family- 12 siblings. She took away a great work ethic and the knowledge that, traditionally so, she loved gardening, sewing, crocheting, knitting and mentoring children. She continued most of these joys throughout her life, making doilies, bedspreads, afghans, clothing, and doll clothes for her granddaughters.

She worked various jobs throughout the years in Michigan, Illinois, and North Carolina while raising her children, but always enjoyed the jobs involving children the most. Dorothy and Fred moved to Florida, from North Carolina, when her parents moved there after retiring from the mission field of the Philippines. Always the caretaker, she and her husband assisted two of her sisters in caring for their parents as they aged. She cared for them until their deaths, and similarly cared for her eldest sister until her passing. While in Florida caretaking, Dorothy made time to work in the school lunchroom, in order to continue her passion of working with children.

After caring for her family members in Florida, Dorothy and her husband moved back to North Carolina where four of their daughters and their families, grandchildren and great- grandchildren lived. While she enjoyed “retirement years” with much of her family, she continued her calling and worked with the Foster Grandparent program and also in daycares. During this time, she even won an award for “Senior citizen Volunteer of the Year” in 2014 for Ashe County, in recognition of her many contributions in this work.

In the latest years of their lives, Dorothy and Fred moved to Wisconsin to be with their second oldest daughter and family, and their great-grand children. In these latest years, it became more difficult for Dorothy to help others in the way she wanted. Still yet, she was a fiery and independent 89 years young. You would often hear her say “Let me do this. I’ve raised 5 kids and made it” with a grin.

While “letting” people help her, she always had time to joke with her caretakers and family in the “dry-humor” style she was known for. It was fun, when you knew her, to watch for that slight uptick in the corner of her mouth and the twinkle in her eyes just before she let out the chuckle and big grin that made unsuspecting conversationalists aware she was “just messing”. She enjoyed joking and laughing with everyone she met.

Dorothy is survived by her four cherished daughters, Lynne A. Barker; Cheryl A (Rick) Parker; LeAnn E. (Steve) Wright; and Marcy A. (Shane) Little. In addition, Dorothy is survived by her 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; 3 of her 12 siblings; her older brother Charles Bristle; her younger brother John Bristle and youngest sister Wave Hannan (Bristle). Dorothy also has many nephews and nieces and many great nieces and nephews.

She takes predeceased blessings from her husband, Fredrick J Blay Jr.; her late son, Fredrick J Blay III; her late daughter, Beth Ann (Gary) Roten; and her parent’s, Emanuel and Wave Bristle. She is also preceded in death by her oldest sister Louise (Bristle) Pan, older brothers Bill Bristle, Emanuel Bristle, Eugene Bristle, Donald Bristle and other sisters Ruth (Bristle) Hall, Faith (Bristle) Marsack, and Betty Bristle.

The family would like to thank Melissa, of Unity Hospice, for keeping Dorothy smiling through her end of life; all the caretakers at Angels Touch, in DePere, especially those in Building 3,; and congregants of Victory Worship in Bellevue who made special visits and sent cards.

Dorothy’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. A memorial service, in he honor, will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Victory Worship 2088 Allouez Ave, Green Bay, WI. Her son-in-law, Bishop Rick A Parker will be officiating and all are welcome who knew and loved Dorothy. A dinner will be held at The Rite Place at 1580 Bellevue St, Green Bay, WI at 3:30 pm.