Meriden- Dorothy Balkow King, wife of the late Allen W. King, passed away at the Mansfield Center for Nursing on Sunday, October 25, 2009. The daughter of the late Harold and Phoebe (Burks) Balkow, she was born on July 3, 1920 and was a life long resident of Meriden. Dot was educated in the Meriden public school system and graduated from Meriden High School with the class of 1938. Dorothy was formerly employed as a receptionist and bookkeeper with Walsh and Massari Opticians in Meriden. She served voluntarily at the Meriden-Wallingford hospital in many capacities and was the treasurer of the MidState Medical Center Auxiliary. Dot was also an active member of the local AARP chapter and the First Congregational Church. Dorothy leaves two sons, Thomas A. King and Donald W. King both of Ashford, CT, a brother, Harold Balkow of Tucson, AZ, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth Balkow and a sister, Eleanor Pesecreta. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 12noon at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden. The Rev. Dr. John W. Clarke will officiate. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to the MidState Medical Center Auxiliary, c/o MidState Development Office 435 Lewis Ave., Meriden, Ct 06451.