Dorothy Forrester

Age 89, native of San Diego, California. Longtime resident of Denver, Colorado. Died peacefully in Roseville, Minnesota with her two children and wonderful caretakers at her side.​

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adele and Carl Parlapiano; her sister, Marion (Parlapiano) Barrett; and her beloved husband, Emmett Forrester, Jr.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Linda Forrester and granddaughter Trinity; and her daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Nils Halker, and grandchildren Mingli and Kai. 

Always a passionate Trojan, Dorothy graduated from the University of Southern California in accounting in 1952. She loved rooting for USC football, playing bridge, reading, swimming, enjoying musicals, and learning new things. She placed providing for her children and grandchildren’s education at the top of her priorities. She was proud to work as an accountant in San Diego, until she married Emmett Forrester, Jr. on September 14, 1957. 

Dorothy and Emmett had two children, Heather and Brad, and Dorothy started her favorite job of being a Mom. She kept us full of great food, and was always there for her kids – as a Girl Scout leader, a little league Mom, a singer of lullabies, a typist of term papers, and a fierce advocate if needed. Even if we messed up, we knew that Mom loved us “no matter what.” She taught us about love, loyalty, and being stronger together in her solid marriage with Dad. 

Dorothy and Emmett believed in family relationships, and made sure we had many hours of holidays and trips with our aunts, uncles, and cousins. They drove many miles traveling with their children, on road trips to more than half of the US national parks. Dorothy loved exploring beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, historic sites, and long sandy beaches most of all. Once the kids were grown, she was able to travel “in style” with Emmett on many tours and sparkling cruises, to Europe, China, Japan, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. 

Dorothy was a fabulous friend. Her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sisters credit her for being the “glue” that held them together. After Emmett’s death in 1994, Dorothy was able to travel with her college friends for another 15 years of adventures. Dorothy, Daisy, Dilly, and JoAnn traveled by car, boat, and plane, to New York City for weeks of Opera, or Mediterranean cruises, or car trips through the wine country. Mom’s friends were “family”, and her Denver “family” surrounded and supported her in those years of learning to be on her own after Emmett’s death.

Dorothy was a storyteller, who loved to bring laughter to each conversation. Dorothy and Emmett were famous for their New Year’s Eve parties which always included a huge banquet at midnight, and lots of confetti (that we found in the furniture for the rest of the year!) She was often called “the life of the party” or “sunshine” – and almost always had a smile on her face, or a quick one liner, right up until her last days. Despite her declining memory, Dorothy remembered all of the people she loved, and made sure to tell them how much she loved them, even if it was repeatedly.

May she be sitting on her heavenly beach, with her friends, family, and pot stickers – with that same ferocious love surrounding them all!​

Private family services.