In Memory

Dolly Ashton (O'Neal)

Dolly Ashton (O'Neal)

Dolly Ashton O’Neal

BIRMINGHAM | Dorothy (Dolly) Ashton O'Neal, 65, died Monday, May 18, 2015.
She is survived by her husband Bert; her sons Bert Jr. (Susanne) and Camper (Mary Chollet), and her daughter Amy Stevens (Johnathon); her sister Barbara Ashton Nicol (Robert), and her brother David Ashton (Susan); and her grandchildren Addison Grace O'Neal, Ella Louise O'Neal, Bert O'Neal, III, Chollet Perry O'Neal, Edwin Camper O'Neal, Jr., and Johnathon Harold Stevens.
She is predeceased by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cochrane Ashton of Tuscaloosa.
Dolly was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and moved to Tuscaloosa with her family at the age of twelve- where she met many incredible, lifelong friends. She graduated Tuscaloosa High School in 1968. She was a Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Alabama and graduated in 1972. Following college, she became a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for five years. She married her husband, Bert, in 1978, and two years later started a family; they have been married for 37 years. In 1994 she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Shortly after her remission, along with co-founder Bruce Sokol, they created Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) and launched the 1st Annual LPGA Drive Out Breast Cancer Golf Tournament. She died on the 20th Anniversary of the golf tournament. She served as President of the BCRFA for many years and now the BCRFA is the largest annual contributor to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. In 2002 she became the first full time employee at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center as the Director of Development, a position that allowed her the perfect platform to pursue her passion- raising funds and awareness for cancer research, helping affected families and advocating for patient care. She helped raise millions of dollars for UAB in her five years in the position- her signature project of which was helping raise the funds necessary for the Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Building. In 2009 she had her first reoccurrence with breast cancer, and again, put the disease in remission through a drug that was partially funded by the BCRFA. Four years later she was diagnosed a third time, and once again, was able to fight and survive. In 2012, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees passed a resolution establishing the O'Neal-Sokol Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Endowed Professorship at the UAB School of Medicine, which recently became an Endowed Chair.
Dolly was an active golfer throughout the state of Alabama and met many wonderful friends on the courses she played. Those that knew her best know that she never met someone she didn't make a friend. Dolly loved and embraced her family and friends and would stand by their side at the quickest hint of need. She was a loving spouse, mother, grandmother and friend that will be fondly remembered for the way she approached every day with an amazing passion, zeal and unafraid spirit. She was a community advocate and truly loved helping others through organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB Center for Aging, The Junior League of Birmingham, The First Light Shelter, among many others.
The family would like to acknowledge the extraordinary medical care over the years that Dolly received at UAB Hospital and the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, especially the care of the many nurses and her primary oncologist, Dr. Andres Forero- and his loving care. The family would also like to thank the many, many loving friends of Dolly's that supported her to the very end. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (205)-996-5463, or buy the BCRFA.org car tag, of which the proceeds benefit the Foundation on an annually, reoccurring basis.
A celebration of Dolly's life will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Birmingham at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015 - please wear pink - visitation to follow.
Published in Tuscaloosa News on May 20, 2015