Zella Brugler Barvitz-Box, BHS 1943

Zella Brugler Barvitz-Box, BHS 1943

Mendocino Beacon, March 2, 2006

Zella Barvitz-Box of Anchor Bay, Calif., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 at Mendocino Coast District Hospital after a long illness. She was 80. There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Gualala.

She was born on June 26, 1925 in Sacramento, Calif., to Herbert and Eleanor Brugler. Zella grew up in Folsom, Calif., until the age of 15 years, when she moved with her family to Burbank, Calif. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1943. On March 6, 1945 she married Leonard Barvitz. They lived in Phoenix where their children Michael and Fredericka were born. After moving to the San Fernando Valley, their son Paul was born. In 1964 the family moved to Fort Bragg to operate the Western Auto Store. In 1972 they moved to Burney, Calif., where they also operated a Western Auto Store.

Zella and Leonard helped to raise several foster children. Dot said, "I dont know where I would be today if it were not for them." After Leonards death in 1977, Zella continued to operate the store until moving to Buellton in 1978. In 1983 she married Clifton Box. They lived in Southern California before moving to Anchor Bay in 1989, where they have lived for the past 16 years.
Zella worked most of her adult life retiring in 1998. She will always be remembered for her great love of animals and her passion for cooking and developing new recipes.

She is survived by her husband, Clifton Box; son, Michael Barvitz of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Fredericka and husband John Oaklay of Davis, Calif.; son, Paul Barvitz and wife Kate of Fort Bragg; foster daughter, Dot Van Cleave of Cottonwood, Calif.; grandchildren, Zach Barvitz and wife Sachie, Heather Barvitz, Aaron Barvitz and wife Erika, Adelie Oakley, Antonia Oakley, Jason Barvitz, Andrew Barvitz and wife Mandee, William Barvitz, and Katie Van Cleave; great grandchildren Rysa and Kade Barvitz, and Ty Barvitz. She is also survived by her sister, Diana Katz, and niece, Claudia Bigelow.

Memorials may be made to one of her favorite charities: Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska, 1312 Peger Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709-5199 or Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Dr., Pine Ridge, SD 57770-2100.