Alverta Christine Balulis

Alverta Christine (Chris) Balulis, of Ashburn, VA, passed away at 12:08 AM on Sunday, August 14th, 2022 at the age of 90. She was preceded by her beloved husband William G. Balulis, and her devoted parents; William Nathaniel Tedder and Amanda Lee Moore Tedder. She is survived by her loving children Chris Ann Cleland (James) and George Balulis (Mariana).

Raised an only child on a humble farm in Hillsville, Virginia, Chris (known as Tootsie to her family and friends down home) was brought up helping out with the animals and chores at an early age. Many a time, those around her heard the tales of milking the cows before school...and it was no exaggeration. It was in this simple, rural life that Chris gained her love of family, friends and all creatures great and small.

Leaving home at a young age, Chris attended and graduated from business college in West Virginia. From there she made her way to the Beltway area in the early 1960s, after working in a coal mine company store. She brought with her only what would fit in a suitcase – which was little more than a couple hundred dollars, clothes and a set of flatware.

In her early professional years, she lived in Arlington, Virginia. Working as a secretary for the JAG Corps in the Pentagon, she developed a love of the law. Her penchant for verbalizing whatever was on her mind (in her trademark, unfiltered manner - with no hesitation or fear of backlash) was a quality that was loved by her friends and family - and likely tolerated and respected by her higher ups. It was during this time that she forged lifelong friendships and met the love of her life in Bill Balulis from Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Chris married Bill in 1968 and welcomed their first child, Chris Ann, in 1970. George, their second child, came along twenty-one months later in 1972. With their family of four outgrowing their Alexandria apartment, Chris and her husband bought their first home in Fairfax, Virginia. As a full-time mom, she worked nights as a grocery clerk. When the kids were older, Chris worked in the local court system. From Fairfax City General District Court, Fairfax County General District Court and to the Fairfax County branch of the Department of Corrections, Chris was in her element when she was working.

The thirty-five years Chris spent living and working in Fairfax came to be the defining years of her life. Fairfax City was the touchstone of her world. She positively cherished her family life there and her close friendships with neighbors.

After the loss of her husband in 1995 and a couple failed attempts at retirement, Chris found new things to embrace that included travel and her favorite past-time: ballroom dancing. She even fulfilled a longtime dream in taking dance lessons in the evenings – placing in a ballroom dance competition in her seventies. As for travel, her favorite destinations included the Caribbean for the jewelry, Las Vegas for the action, San Francisco (a trip she enjoyed with her kids) and Alaska (a mother/daughter cruise.)

Chris relocated to Gainesville, Virginia in 2007. Of course she was an instant hit in her new active adult condo building, quickly forming deep friendships that endured the rest of her life. In 2012 and 2014, she was diagnosed with both COPD and Alzheimer's dementia, respectively. Her final move to Ashburn in 2017 was to the community of Ashby Ponds. It was here she reluctantly learned to rely on caregivers, unfamiliar ground for a person who had always cared for others. Her indelible spunk endeared her to those entrusted with her care, as it did to everyone she met in her life, whether it was a brief encounter or a lifelong friendship.

Even in her final years, Chris never lost her charm, wit, love for others or her trademark sass. Let her example of bold living, serving others, generosity and perseverance inspire anyone who was fortunate enough to have known her. She left a mark on this world and will be dearly missed by many.

Her last eight months of living and care expenses were funded through the Ashby Ponds Benevolent Care Fund. It made a real difference to her family. If flowers are not your way of paying respect, please consider a donation to this charity. Chris would want you to know, flowers are appreciated as well. Over the years, many a flower arrangement brightened a chapel or funeral home as her way of paying respects.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 27, 2022 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Memorial Park.