Born on Oct. 17, 1945, in Lake Placid, she was the daughter of Ward E. Wilbur and Dorice (Westcott) Wilbur.

She graduated from Lake Placid High School in 1963 and attended Ellis Hospital School of Nursing, where she formed lifelong bonds with her fellow nursing students. Alta worked as an LPN for all her adult life.

Her last job was with Hadley Family Practice, where she worked for 27.5 years until she was forced into retirement by a health issue in 2021. Despite her failing health, Alta faced the last year and a half of her life as usual with humility, grace, and humor.

Alta was an avid reader who loved to crochet, sew and make jewelry. She made lots of clothes and costumes for her children and grandchildren over the years. Alta was a passionate Boston Bruins fan. If you called her when she was watching a game, you would hear her cheering or yelling at the television. She loved music and would never miss an opportunity for a night out dancing. She was an open and genuine person who never turned down the opportunity for a new adventure. Alta raised her children in Florence, Massachusetts, where her house and yard were open to all the neighborhood children to play, swim and hang out. She will forever be remembered for the selfless, understanding, compassionate woman that she was and will be missed by so many.

Alta is survived by her husband Arthur Dostal, currently a resident of Day Brook Village in Holyoke. She is also survived by her children, Jeffrey Robert and his wife Tina of Arizona, Kelly Stergakis and her husband John of Connecticut, David Robert and his husband Pete of Rhode Island, and Lisa Gove and her husband Scott of Massachusetts; sisters Carol (Doug) Hoffman of New York, Lynda (Mike) Rooney of Maryland, Brenda (Steve) Gallagher of New York, and Janet Goodno of New York. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Aleicia Gillum, Andrew Gove, Jordan Stergakis, Jonathan Stergakis and Ariadne Stergakis; four stepgrandchildren, Zachary Lyman, Macala Paradee, Kaitlyn Paradee and Cassandra Paradee; two great-grandchildren, Aubrielle Brown and Carter Blakeslee; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved so much.

Alta is predeceased by her parents; stepfather, Loren Torrance; brothers Ward Wilbur, Arti Torrance and Loren Torrance Jr.; and sister Marsha Davis.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 18 Adams St. Easthampton, MA 01027.

Burial will be held next summer in North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid at the convenience of the family. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of local arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences.