Barbara Jean Dabritz

Barbara Jean (Mitchell) Dabritz was born October 4, 1935, in Hayward, California to John and Helen Mitchell. She lived her first eight years in Hayward before her parents moved to Modesto to be close to her mother’s family.

When she was eight, her sister Marilyn was born and two years later her sister Sharon was born and the three sisters grew up together in Modesto. After high school graduation Barbara worked as a bookkeeper for Johnson Feed & Supply for several years. When Barbara heard that Stanislaus County was searching for someone to fill a secretarial position, she applied for the job. She soon became Stanislaus County purchasing Agent’s secretary. She loved her new job.

A few years later, fate intervened and she met a man named Les Dabritz while she was apartment hunting with a girlfriend. The following day, Les contacted a mutual friend to get Barbara’s phone number. After their first date, they both knew they were meant for each other. They were married on March 24, 1964. A few years later they welcomed their children, Deron Leslie, born in January and Romy Leigh, born in December, of the same year!

Barbara enjoyed helping Les with his Chamber of Commerce work and he was always appreciative and proud of his wife. Later Barbara found time to take a bookkeeping position with a respected dress shop in Fresno. She worked there until retirement.

Barbara’s favorite place to be was in her kitchen. Her family meals were always extraordinarily crafted…..a gourmet cook, indeed! Friends and relatives called her often for advice on recipes.

The loves of her life, besides her husband Les, were her children Deron and Romy. Along with being a loving mom to her children, she was their “Guardian Angel”.

In addition to her two children, Barbara leaves behind her two granddaughters and three great grandchildren. Also her sister Marilyn (Bill); sister Sharon (passed 2021)(Fred); Aunt Aldora Lucchesi; Uncle Bob Silva; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Barbara……fashionable, smart, meticulous, and above all loving.

A Graveside Service for Barbara will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, California 93706.