Theresa "Dolly" Albashian, age 81, of Omro, died Saturday morning, September 26, 2009, at the Omro Care Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 16, 1928 in Oshkosh, WI the daughter of Guy and Cora (Kealiher) Haire. She held the record for many years of being the smallest baby born at Mercy Medical Center. She had gotten the nickname Dolly from her father because she had blonde hair and he affectionately called her "his Little Cotton Dolly"; later shortening it to Dolly. Dolly grew up on a houseboat on the Fox River. She married Charles Albashian on October 20, 1945. Dolly was one of the first non-Armenian brides to be married at St. Harotunes Church in South Milwaukee. She loved to ice skate, swim, dance on roller skates, work crossword puzzles, play scrabble, cribbage, read, and write poetry for various family occasions. She was a very creative and resourceful person who could make something from nothing. Dolly taught all her children how to appreciate the beauty of nature. She loved babies and animals and also enjoyed cooking and baking. As a teenager, Dolly saved a young girl from drowning in the Fox River, later becoming good friends with her. In addition to being a full time mother and homemaker, Dolly worked at the carburetor factory in Omro, Miles Kimball, and helped her husband in their bait shops in Omro and Auroraville. She also had the distinction of being one of the first female school bus drivers in Omro. She was a kind woman, who was always willing to help her friends and neighbors. Dolly was a member of the DAV Auxiliary Chapter 17 in Oshkosh and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ripon.
Dolly is loved and will be missed by her husband, Charles "Chuck" of Omro; children, Cheryl Ruck of Oshkosh, Carla (Tom) Anderson of San Jose, CA, Michael (Pam) Albashian of Omro, Colleen (Jim) Longworth of Oshkosh and Connie (Tom) Schuster of Omro; grandchildren, Dan (Lori) Ruck, Becky Sattler, Tracey (Rado) Savova, Taryn Anderson, Ryan Albashian, Aaron Albashian, Chad (Jennie) Longworth, Jamie (Chris) Wright, Cody Fink, Casey Fink, and Kayla Schuster; great grandchildren, Mitchell, Gabrielle, Chelsea, Caleb, Luke, Drake, Bryce, Austin, Leah, Lydia, Cora Mae; her half sister, Margaret Reeb, and two half brothers, Frank Haire and Eddie Haire; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Curtis, and great grandson, David.

In respect to Dolly's memory, the family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the funeral home in Omro, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Tom McAlpine officiating. She will be laid to rest at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society.