Tay Balash

Some people measure their success by accomplishments and achievements, perhaps impacting the world, but not those in it. Tay Balash was an extraordinary woman who made it her first priority to cherish those that were placed in her path, especially those she treasured most, her family. Tay lived her life with tremendous vibrancy and zest, coloring the world with the diverse facets of who she was each and every day. The end of the 1940s marked a time of change in the world of technology as commercial television became available to the public and the digital computer, weighing 30 tons and standing two stories high, was completed as well. Lloyd Dee and Virginia (George) Sharpe, of Wauseon, Ohio were preparing for their own transitional time as well; as Virginia was due to give birth to their first child at any time. They were indeed blessed on April 8, 1947 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Tay. Named for the River Tay in Scotland, Tay was later joined by younger sister Pam and together the girls established a deep and meaningful relationship which would continue into their adulthood. Tay developed a love for the warm summer sun when as a young girl; her family rented a cabin at Pine Lake, located near Wellston, Michigan between Manistee and Cadillac. This quickly became one of Tays treasured spots where she enjoyed swimming, canoeing, and just being outdoors. Tay spent her childhood in Wauseon, located in northwestern Ohio just outside of Toledo. She attended Wauseon High School where she played the clarinet in the band and was a pitcher on the girls softball team. What was most remarkable about her high school years, however, was a young man who was one year her senior and he would forever change the course of Tays life. His name was Mike Balash and they had their first date during Tays junior year when they attended a school dance together on December 7, 1963. A romance soon ensued and although they were separated when Mike joined the Marines after he graduated, they corresponded through letters, more deeply solidifying their love for each other. After Tay graduated from high school, she completed cosmetology school, and found employment as a cosmetologist in Toledo. After his time in the service, Mike returned to civilian life and he and Tay were united in marriage on April 19, 1969 at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Wauseon. After a honeymoon in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., the newlyweds settled into married life and Mike found work in the automotive industry. Tay and Mike were soon delighted when their first son Pete was born in 1972 at which time Tay left her job in the workplace to stay home and raise her young son. Tay embraced her role as a mother and poured herself into caring for Pete and his younger brother Cameron who was born in 1975. Tay was active in her sons lives; she was on the P.T.A. and worked part time in the school cafeteria. When her boys became actively involved in a variety of sports including football, baseball, and basketball, Tay never missed a game and she was an active part of the boosters club. Together the Balash family made many wonderful memories which will be forever cherished. During the summers, they spent their time at their cottage on Posey Lake, located near Hudson, Michigan in the southeastern portion of the state. Their family relished in the quality time spent here so much so, that they were the first family to open up their cottage, usually around Easter, and they didnt close it up until late fall. Tay and her family were joined by both her and Mikes parents who had cottages there as well, so it was truly a family affair. Tay loved the sun and she always started working on her great tan as early in the season as possible and while at the cottage, she loved to sit in her chair and float in the water. She even appreciated the spray her boys often gave her while they were water skiing! Although she and Mike were married in April, each year they celebrated their anniversary on December 7, the day they had their first date. In 1989, Mikes job at Sealed Power transferred their family to north Muskegon which led Tay to fall in love with the beautiful shores of nearby Lake Michigan where she would spend many days relaxing in her chair doing what she loved, reading. Tay also enjoyed walking and would often walk for miles at a time. Although Mikes job moved them to Detroit, it was only a short time before they were back in Muskegon again; Mikes widowed father made the moves with them as well. For nearly ten years Tay and Mike would take an annual summer vacation to Glen Arbor with a close group of freinds where many wonderful memories were made. Tay had a genuinely compassionate heart and she often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others. She loved having her father in law live with them and when he suffered a stroke, she tirelessly cared for him until his death in 2002. Tay was always helping neighbors that were in need as well, lending a hand in whatever way she could. After her boys were grown, she worked part time for Weight Watchers and also often traveled back to Wauseon to help Pam care for their aging parents. When her son Cam married his wife Trina, Tay cherished the daughter she always longed for and she even shared with Trina her special buffalo wing recipe! There were some additional activities and passions that were an important part of who Tay was as well. She was an active member at her church, First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and was a member of the Service League, a group of women organized to serve the community by devoting time to worthwhile projects as well as by giving financial aid to organizations that were involved in community service. Even as her children were grown, family time was still a cornerstone for Tay and she was delighted that the whole family gathered at her sons home in Atlanta to celebrate the holidays just this past Christmas. Tay Balash was a kind and compassionate woman with a genuine servants heart. She enjoyed many things including reading, relaxing in the sun, and going for long walks, but the thing she cherished most, however, was just being in the presence of her family whom she held most dear. Tay brightened the world around her with her warm demeanor and her memory will be forever cherished by all those she leaves behind. She will be dearly missed. Tay A. Balash died on Thursday, January 22, 2009. Tays family includes her husband, Mike; sons, Pete Balash of Spain, Cameron (Trina) Balash of GA; sister, Pam (Roger) Rice of Wauseon. She was preceded in death by her mother. A Memorial Gathering will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009, 3:00-8:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit Tays memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.