Patricia Kay Dillehay

Ballerina Patricia Borella Dillehay Dies at 79 Oklahoma City February 11, 2013 Oklahoma City ballerina “Pat” Dillehay died peacefully at home with her family on February 10, 2013. She was 79 years old. Pat is survived by her daughters Kaylyn Dillehay Blank, Michele Dillehay, Shaun Dillehay, son-in-law Larry Blank and her grandchildren Jamie Blank, Michael Blank, Danielle Blank and Haley Dillehay Lister. Predeceased are daughter Jamie Dillehay and husband Gene Dillehay. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2:00 pm at Guardian Funeral Home located at 5820 NW 41st Street. Patricia Kay Borella was born on March 6, 1933 in Calera, Oklahoma to parents Giacomo “James” Natale Borella and Myrtle Campbell Borella. She had one older brother Thomas. The family moved to Oklahoma City when Pat was very young. Pat began dancing ballet at age nine. At age 17, Pat left Classen High School and headed to Los Angeles, California. Pat Borella danced in six Hollywood movies The Road to Bali, The Merry Widow, Limelight, Stars and Stripes Forever, Story of Three Loves and The I Don’t Care Girl. Dillehay also danced or studied with George Balanchine’s protégé’ Eugene Loring, Yvonne Chouteau, Miguel Terekhov, Maria Tallchief, Debbie Reynolds, Jack Cole, Busby Berkley, Michael Kidd, Sir Frederick Ashton and Hermes Pan. Pat Dillehay’s Hollywood career ended when she broke her ankle. She returned to Oklahoma City to attend Oklahoma City University. Pat Borella married Oklahoma City broadcaster and artist Gene Dillehay in 1954. They raised their four daughters in Oklahoma City. Pat taught ballet at the Paula Gleason dance studio, Bill Graham Dance Studio and Encore Dance Center. She choreographed dance for musicals Oklahoma, West Side Story, Camelot, The Sound of Music, Oliver and many more. Pat also performed in local theater, such as the Jewel Box Theater productions of 70 Girls 70, Ballroom and Follies. Pat also owned a women’s clothing store, bought in 1967 named “Papa’s Girls” in honor of her Italian papa and her four daughters. Pat ran the successful business for 20 years and retired in 1987. Pat Dillehay was involved with the Bethany Chamber of Commerce, the NW Oklahoma City Rotary Club, the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, the Organization of Psychic Research Associates, DECA, Classen High Reunion Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. While retired Pat also wrote newsletters for OPRA and the Metaphysical Society. Pat and husband Gene Dillehay were members of many organizations such as Lyric Theater, the OKC Arts Festival, the OKC Philharmonic Orchestra, OETA-TV, the Western Heritage Awards and more. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.