M. Denise Dollar

Published 11:00 am Tuesday, September 3, 2024

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Oct. 17, 1962 – Aug. 8, 2024

Denise Dollar, 61, passed away at Infinity Hospice Center in Las Vegas, NV on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

The oldest daughter of Cynthia and Dick Dollar, Denise was born in Natchez on Oct. 17, 1962. She attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary and graduated from Trinity Episcopal Day School, class of 1980. There she played basketball and was the starting guard for the 1980 Trinity Lady Saints state championship team. Denise was awarded a basketball scholarship to Copiah Lincoln Community College and later graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in education. She had a passion for teaching and coaching, working for years in North Mississippi.

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Later in life she joined her sister, Natalie in Seattle, WA, and continued teaching and coaching before becoming an expert in HVAC installation. She then decided she wanted a change and began her journey in the medical field. She graduated with her degree in Respiratory Therapy and was the lead therapist at the Swedish hospitals in Seattle. After working at multiple hospitals and running several respiratory units during the COVID-19 pandemic, she began to think she may enjoy a bit of a slower-paced life. So, after 25 years in the field, she and her wife Nikki, ready for some sunny weather, moved to Las Vegas in July of 2023.

She and Nikki were avid fans and season ticket holders for the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces. Until Denise moved from Seattle, she was an important member of several co-ed flag football teams. Her teammates were shocked by her age and her ability on the field. In her spare time, she loved traveling to many different beaches and countries, horseback riding, and building anything around the house. She could do anything! Denise also had a love for all animals, especially horses and her many dogs. They were all treated like loved ones.

Denise was preceded in death by her father, Dick Dollar; her grandparents, Marian and Premo Stallone, Jr. and Lester and Lillie Mae Dollar.

She is survived by her wife, Nikki Ball; her mother, Cynthia Dollar; her sisters, Natalie (Dan) Becraft and Paige (Barry) Iseminger; her niece, Fisher Iseminger; aunts and uncles, Adrian and Gail Stallone with their children; Janet and Butch Cody with their children; and Bobbie Dollar with her children.

Denise will always be remembered by her friends and family as one of the most caring, compassionate and loving people. Her past patients and employees only have wonderful things to say about Denise. Her family says there’s only one Denise and she was taken way too early. She will be dearly missed.

Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Assumption Catholic Church, 10 Morgantown Rd. with Rev. Aaron Williams presiding. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the service at 10 a.m. and followed by burial at Natchez City Cemetery. A repast will be held at Tuite Hall, Assumption Catholic Church, for friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, Denise requested anyone interested to send donations in her memory to St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or Unchainedmelodies.org dog rescue.