Eldora "Dorie" Sabbatini was born February 9th to Henry & Lydia Christian in Fresno, CA and passed away on June 25, 2023, at 95. She was married to Eugene (Gene) Sabbatini (dec. 2010) for 62 years. Dorie was Gene's farming partner and sold corn at their home every summer. She worked at Central High School in Fresno, drove bus for Central Unified, and later worked for Fresno County Parks Dept. She drove until age 92.
Dorie & Gene spent many great times with family and friends. If they weren't cooking for the Edison Social Club or the Central Lions Club annual cioppino dinners, they were dancing at the Italian American Club, the ICF, VFW, Elks Lodge, Moose Club, or any other venue which held dinner dances. They enjoyed traveling and made many lifelong friends on cruises. They often played dice or card games with friends, they bowled in a league at Mid State Bowl for 25 years, and they loved cooking. Together they catered the meals of many weddings, as well as many church and club functions. They also gave a lot of time cooking fabulous dinners, spaghetti sauce, sausage and beerocks at Edison Social Club events. Dorie was proud to be one of the first Women's Auxiliary members of the Edison Social club as well as VFW Post 5057, where she played biweekly pinochle games.
Dorie (Nonni to her great grands) found much pleasure spending time with her great grandchildren. She and daughter, Pam, had weekly "Grammy days" from the time they were born through most of their elementary years. Nonni was best at rocking all of them to sleep. Between naps they loved building things together, doing puzzles, showing her tricks or dances, or making up their own crafts. They loved baking, decorating cookies and making gingerbread houses, coloring eggs, and helping her with beerocks. We are so fortunate to have had so many great years of time spent and memories created between Nonni and her littles.
Dorie enjoyed living at Paintbrush Assisted Living since 2016 where she had many friends and was involved in most activities. Along with a few other residents, even created their own games and activities as well, including Mexican Train and Dominoes where she taught anyone who wanted to play. She loved her home, her friends and her special care givers.
Dorie grew up as a child of the depression. Her father worked on cannery machinery throughout California, so they moved often. They didn't have much, and she lived very simply because of that. She spoke her mind, but still showed her love and kindness. Her family meant everything to her. We will forever hold our Sabbatini Christmas Eve cioppino tradition close to our hearts. Continuing it was a joy she looked forward to. She was super lucky at every game she played, yet had no interest in gambling. She loved building things and used lots of nails in doing so! If she could have convinced Gene, they would have been some of the first flip-it millionaires, investing primarily in properties in Cambria and Morro Bay. Dorie had a brilliant creative mind that thought of different ways to use just about anything. She just may have been one of the first to wash out bags for reuse. She had amazing drive, spirit, strength, belief, and fortitude to go on. We will miss her immensely.
Dorie was preceded in death by her parents: Henry and Lydia Christian, her brothers: Melvin and Sunny Christian, her husband: Gene Sabbatini and her eldest son: Gary Sabbatini, also Sharon and Tom Mares. She is survived by son: Lynn Sabbatini and his significant other Kathy Lauritzen, daughter: Pam Couto and her husband Rodney, Daughter in law: Brenda Sabbatini, grandchildren: Kimberly Smith and her husband Paul, Kerry Sabbatini and his wife Meghan, Gina Sellers and her husband Brad, Brandon Sabbatini, great-grandchildren: Matthew Smith, Drake, Ciana and Noah Sellers, Avery and Samuel Sabbatini, great great grandchild: Linnea Smith. She is also survived by Tommy and Rick Mares and their families who knew her as "Nana Dorie', and leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends.
Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on July 31, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at Mt. View Cemetery on August 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
