Lia was born to Alfred and Maria Bellochio on October 26, 1929 and resided in Caserta, Italy. After WWII, while working for the American Red Cross she met George Doggett, a Sergeant in the United States Army, stationed in Caserta. They fell in love, but had to overcome the Italian custom of chaperone accompanying a young single lady being courted, as well as the hardships that people from different walks of life were sure to encounter. Undaunted, Lia at eighteen years old, married George and moved to a new world, leaving behind family, friends and all that she knew.
After moving to the States, Lia became a United States Citizen, and with her family eventually settled in El Paso in 1959. Lia was very active in both her sons’ school PTA. She was a Charter member and President of the DIANA (Daughters of Italian Ancestry of North America) Club of El Paso, and the Northgate OPTI-MRS Club. Lia also volunteered at many nursing and retirement homes across the city.
Lia is survived by her husband George of 70 years, her two sons, George and his wife Claire, and Bruce and his wife Donna, and three grandchildren, Travis, Tarah and Drew, as well as many nieces and nephews in Italy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home, 8817 Dyer Street, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 5:00-9:00pm. A Rosary will be said at 7:00pm. A Mass will be held at 12:45pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9025 Diana Drive. A Graveside service will be performed at 1:30pm at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
