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Barbara Botfield Obituary

August 1, 1925 - May 2, 2021 Born in West Bromwich, England, Barbara's most vivid hometown memories involved hearing sirens, and racing through the streets to duck into the closest air raid shelter during WWII. She never lost her love of England and was forever moved to tears by any patriotic image or music from that era. Always an adventurer, at 22, she sailed alone across the Atlantic to Canada, to marry the love of her life, Wil Botfield. They lived in Toronto for 5 years and eventually saved enough money to immigrate into the United States, fulfilling their American Dream. Barbara was extremely proud to become a US citizen in 1957 and wrote a poem about her experience called "A Rare Privilege". Barbara loved to entertain and was perfectly happy with the spotlight shining directly on her. She was an exceptional singer. Perhaps one of her proudest moments was singing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium in 1990. With a great sense of humor, the quickest way to Barbara's heart was to laugh at her jokes. She managed a charm and modeling school for years, bringing her British sense of style and class to Southern California. She loved a good "cuppa tea", a Bourbon & squirt, and made the best mashed potatoes and gravy at every holiday gathering!She is survived by her 2 daughters Teri and Chelsea, her step son, Gary, her grandchildren Ashton, Jordan, Caley, Wil, Owen, Cody, Chelsy, Ashlea, Leighton, and great grandchildren Jamie, Kobe, Summer, Riley, Isla, Luca and Baby Gray...(who's almost here!)Services will be held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, on Wednesday May 19th at 5pm. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from May 13 to May 16, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Botfield

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5 Entries

John Rackham

August 9, 2024

It´s with my deepest condolences to see Barbara has left us. Since I was a baby she and her family back in England have been very kind and good friends. Last time I saw Barbara was when Chelsea came to see her Uncle Tom in West Bromwich. I´ve searched every year for news on Barbara using her maiden name via Chelsea´s profiles. She once sang "send in the clowns" which she recorded on cassette tape and gave the tape to my parents. Thank You for your friendship to myself and my family. You´ll forever be in our thoughts. Rackham´s of West Bromwich.

Carol Heighe-Lowe

April 3, 2023

I have very fond memories of Barbara from spending time with my grandmother, Elaine. She was a wonderful woman and I still think about her often. You are a woman that is greatly missed!

Lisa Ray

May 14, 2022

Today, I was thinking of my mom, Barbara Benson, which led me to think if The TallTones: Barbara Bottfield, Mom, Arlene Morris and Esther (Fields?). Your mom was my mom´s favorite friend in the world. Mom passed away in 2006. Rest in Peace Barbara Bottfield! Love to Teri and Chelsea and family.

Victoria Carbe'- Valentino

October 9, 2021

I am so saddened to learn today too many months after Barbara´s passing, that she is gone! During the shutdown i´d Promised to take her out to lunch and just messaged her to set a date now i´m well and out of quarantine. It was Barbara who saved my mother´s life after Daddy died in `93, by dragging her to the Tam O´Shanter to sing. It became our community of singers. They´d all sung together in church choir. We´d have potlucks after that at my mom´s house and at Barbara's After the piano bar at the Tam closed & we were a motley crew of singers and extended family. What a tour de force she was! I know they are all now organizing a big chorus together with all our community who have gone before! Listen! I think I hear her now... « Don´t Cry for Me, Argentina! » personally I never thought Barbara cwas capable of dying- but then even she ( and my mom) had to answer the call! Peace. We´ll have to postpone our lunch, i guess!

DIane Phillips

May 15, 2021

Barbara was my mother’s best friend, and a second mother to my sister and I. She was a breath of fresh air. I loved singing with her in church, and she always had sing-a-longs at her home parties. Barbara will be greatly missed by all her many friends.

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