Obituary of Dorothy Chekerylla

Dorothy Chekerylla passed away quietly after suffering a fall in her Golden, CO apartment and an unsuccessful two months of convalescence. She was 80 years old.

Dorothy was born on July 27, 1942 in Detroit, MI – the 1st child of Andy & Mary (Betanzos) Chekerylla. Dorothy spent most of her early life in the Detroit area and the final part of her life in the Denver area living close to her sister Jeanie.

Dorothy loved her career as a social worker in various nursing homes. Her last position was at Sunrise Assisted Living in the Denver area where she was the head of the Alzheimer’s unit. This was a demanding position but she embraced it. She was dedicated to her clients, often taking them out for activities in the community. The dignity of the elderly was important to her.

Her love of God was a major factor in her life. And also her very close relationship with her younger sister Jeanie as they helped each other sort through the day-to-day problems life brings.

Dorothy is survived by 3 younger siblings – Richard Chekerylla of Northville, MI, Jim Chekerylla of Seattle, WA, and Jeanie Maurer of Golden, CO. She had four nieces and nephews – Andrew Chekerylla, Lisa Chekerylla, Rachel Maurer, and Danny Maurer. Dorothy also had a close relationship with her four god-children: Julie, Lynda, Eddie & Kory who saw her as a loving surrogate mother when their own mother passed away at an early age.

Her passions included friends & family as well as babies, old people, horses and dogs. In her final years, she particularly enjoyed daily walks in the park with her 100 year-old best friend, Toni.

Memorials are planned in Golden, CO in mid-March and in Allen Park, MI in early May