Doris Violet Barbagelata

July 9, 1929 ~ September 30, 2018

Doris V. Barbagelata passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 30. She was 89 years old. Dorrie was born Doris Violet Chatfield in Corning, California and raised on a farm by her parents Norman Chatfield and Rosa Marina Diaz, along with her brother Norman and sister Grace. Growing up in a country town of Northern California, Doris held a special appreciation for nature. She always pointed out every beautiful sunset, planned elaborate picnics at parks, and traveled often to the beach. As a toddler, she pronounced her name “Dodo” and it was a moniker that stuck with her for life, delighting her children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren alike.

A tall and slender child, she took easily to dancing and gymnastics. After her father died, she and her mother moved to Oakland where she attended Castlemont High School and continued to dance and participate in many school play productions. She was a natural beauty and took up modeling in San Francisco. Her runway career took her to New York and eventually Europe, where she was frequently photographed, even by famed photographer Richard Avedon. She met her husband and love of her life, Bob Barbagelata, on a blind date in San Francisco and they were married in 1952. Together they raised three children Patricia, Robert and Michael. Eventually, they settled in Belmont in a beautiful home with views of the Bay. Their Belmont home was the gathering place for friends and family alike for four decades, with Dorrie a gourmet chef, happily cooking for all. Long before cappuccino became a daily beverage, Dorrie was serving them up at her home along with home made pesto, pasta and Cima. Many happy summers were spent as a family together in Inverness at their country home or camping with family friends. Doris and Bob shared a passion for travel and together they travelled the world, making friends and memories everywhere they went. Doris also loved a solo adventure. She insisted on celebrating her 80th birthday by traveling alone to Botswana and South Africa for an African safari. Every year, she would travel to New York City and meet old friends for a week of theater and gallery hopping. Dorrie was a wonderful friend, never forgetting a birthday or special occasion. But most of all, Dorrie was an amazing mother and grandmother. “Dodo” had a unique bond with each of her grandchildren. An outing with her for all of her grandchildren always felt special - and always included good food, good fun, and a good talk. Doris was a consummate lady, dressed elegantly in her beautiful tunics and slacks and with her hair perfectly styled. Even in her last years and throughout her lengthy illness, she carried herself with grace and poise turning heads until the day she died. When she woke up every morning and we would ask, “How are you feeling, Mom?” She always smiled and said “I’m better!” Doris is survived by her daughter Patricia B. Lefever (Bill), her sons Robert N. Barbagelata and Michael A. Barbagelata (Cathy) and her four grandchildren, Dominic Lefever, Robert, Jackson and Lily Barbagelata. She was predeceased by her husband Robert D. Barbagelata. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cunningham Chapel at Notre Dame de Namur University, 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont.