Dorothy Elizabeth Ortals Selby

"Dorothy Elizabeth Ortals Selby, daughter of Joseph J. Ortals and Olive R. Ortals, was born in Philadelphia, PA, and died on January 17, 2019. She was 89. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Dr. Stephen M. Selby, their daughters Jennifer Browne (Ken), Marjorie Self (Peyton), Elizabeth Imhoff (Joe) and Marian "Mel" Selby, grandchildren Wright Busching (Elizabeth), Maxwell Busching, Riley Busching, and Stephen Browne as well as two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Marian. She was blessed to have six additional grandchildren, Ginny Browne (Brian), Callie Mejia (Santiago), Henry Self, Wesley Self, Megan Calhoun (John), and Dan Imhoff, and one additional great-grandchild, Sacha. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Roman H. Ortals and John J. Ortals; sisters Anne M. Currier and Millie Hammerle; and nephew David Ortals. Dotty graduated from the Hospital School of Nursing of the University of Pennsylvania and obtained her BS and RN from Nursing Teachers College of Columbia University, NYC. Dotty then worked as a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in NYC. Having her nursing degree, and meeting all the other stringent requirements, she became an overseas stewardess with Pan American Airways. She was based in New York, and her routes included Europe, the Middle East and Africa. After their wedding in NYC, Dotty and Steve moved to Baton Rouge where they raised their four daughters. Dotty was an active volunteer in the community, helping at her children's schools, serving on the Dental Auxiliary, helping out at the public library, hosting St. James Episcopal Church Choir "practices" and being available for most any need. Dotty spent over ten years as a volunteer with the Federal Probation and Parole office. Dotty was an avid reader and would spend any extra time with her head in a book. She and Steve enjoyed traveling by car to see the United States, visiting all but three states. They created a family and a community around them that was unusually close, and they will miss her smart, funny, beautiful presence in their lives. A visitation is scheduled for Friday January 25, 2019 at St James Episcopal Church in the Parish Hall parlor from 10:30 a.m. until the burial office at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at the St James Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to: The Hospice of Baton Rouge Inpatient Unit, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA, 70810. We are so thankful for the care she received from all of the Staff.