Dorothea Blakely

Dorothea Wilma Marie "Dot" Hinspeter Blakely of Millcreek passed away peacefully on Friday, July 4, 2025 at LECOM Senior Living.

She was born on October 22, 1926 in Erie, daughter of the late Harry and Viola Hinspeter.

Dot graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1944. She worked in the office of Reed Manufacturing Company before becoming a homemaker.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to many. She especially enjoyed her family and loved hosting many birthdays and holidays.

She was a member of St. Julia's Church, was active in their Rosary Society, and participated in the Belles of St. Julia's Plays. She was also a member of the Koinonia Religious Group #138. Dot was a member of Asbury Seniors, Salvation Army Senior Center, Erie Center of Health and Aging, and was a regular attendee of the West Lake Fire Department monthly luncheon card parties. She was so proud to be in two ladies card clubs at one time. She participated in the Silver Sneakers exercise program at the Downtown YMCA.

Dot was a member of Erie Yacht Club, where she enjoyed sailing on their sailboat "Curlew".

She enjoyed bus trips, reading, music, watching and feeding backyard birds, hiking, biking, loved the outdoors, and old-time street roller skating.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles, to whom she was married for almost 50 years; three brothers, Norman, Edwin, and Robert Hinspeter; a dear sister, Mildred (Robert) Laird; a son-in-law, Bill Rilling; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Neal of Stephen City, VA.

She is survived by one son, Michael Blakely and his wife Nancy of Arkansas; three daughters, Charlene Rilling and Gail Blakely, both of Erie, and Heather Ramey of East Springfield, PA; eight grandchildren: Melissa (Scott) Hitz, Carrie (Dominic) Savoia, Jeremy Desser, Benjamin Moyer, Lynzee Brooks, Joshua and Stephanie Kahla, and Amelia Doritty; one great granddaughter, Ariel Cooper (Nick); three great grandsons: Lorenzo and Giovanni Savoia, and Isaac Neal; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge, 3801 West Ridge Road, on Sunday, July 13 from 1 to 4pm and are invited to attend a funeral Mass at St. Julia's Catholic Church at 8th & Powell on Monday, July 14 at 10:00. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 2500 West 12th St., Erie, PA 16505 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.