Dorothy “Dodie” Bingham passed away on October 10, just a few weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. She moved to Breckenridge in 1978 and bought the historic building at the corner of Main Street and Adams Avenue, where she relocated her gift shop, The Bay Street Company, which continues today under the management of her daughters Judy and Candice.

It was on this sunny corner lot where she started her now-famous flower garden. Some folks tried to discourage her from growing flowers at 9,600 feet, where frost-free days were fewer than two dozen, but she was determined. Thankfully, she proved the naysayers wrong and showed the whole community that a vast variety of beautiful flowers can flourish in our mountain environment with good soil, ample water, and plenty of loving care.

Dodie brought love to everything she did. She was upbeat and interested in life throughout all her years, and bubbled with enthusiasm at milestones and the smallest details of life with equal joy. She was creative and imaginative, surrounded herself with beautiful things, and was frequently redecorating her apartment overlooking her beloved garden.

She also surrounded herself with family and was a loving mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was always interested to hear about the lives of her family and friends, and was generous with her time, her love, and her resources.

A beautiful woman, she was ageless, and retained her sparkling eyes and unfurrowed brow to the end.

Dodie was born October 31, 1916 in Chicago. She marveled at the changes which occurred during her lifetime – from produce and ice delivered by horse-drawn wagon, to astronauts landing on the moon, to the Internet.

She is survived by her three children: Judy (Robert) Girvin, Candice VanRunkle, and John Bingham, all of Breckenridge; her grandchildren Leigh Girvin and Alex Girvin of Breckenridge, Bob (Laura) Girvin of Larchmont, N.Y., Ivan (Robyn) Migel of Altadena, Calif., Zoe (Greg) Sower and Ezra Migel of Santa Fe, N.M., Zach (April) Bingham of Vail; her great- grandchildren Owen and Violet Migel, Sofia and Sydney Girvin, Theo Sower, and baby boy Bingham due in November; as well as many great- nephews and nieces.

A memorial will be held in summer of 2010 when her extended family can get together. Memorial donations are welcomed by the League for Animals and People of the Summit (www.summitlaps.com), PO Box 2512, Frisco, CO 80443, and Continental Divide Land Trust (www.cdlt.org), PO Box 4488, Frisco, CO, 80443.