Barbara Bogart

1932 - 2025

Barbara Emerzian Bogart was born on August 23, 1932 in Fresno, California. She was the daughter of Arthur and Florence Emerzian, children of Armenian immigrants, and the sister of Ronald Emerzian. In 1934 they moved to Modesto, when her father took over the family ranch on the outskirts of town. In 1941 her family moved into the La Loma area of the city. She attended Modesto schools and found a love for performing in school productions. She graduated from Modesto High school in 1950. After High school she went to U.C. Berkeley and graduated in 1954 with her teaching credential. While at Berkeley, she was in a sorority and loved entertaining her "sisters" with songs and skits. After college she taught elementary school in Los Altos and later in the Chinatown district of San Francisco.





She married Sewall (Skip) Bogart in 1958 and moved from San Francisco down the peninsula to Woodside, later settling in Portola Valley with her two children Geoff and Dana. Skip was an architect and designed their family home where they lived for 17 years. She loved raising her children and helping them with their various activities in school, sports, music and theater.





Barbara's love for theater grew and over the years she performed in and directed numerous productions all over the Bay Area. Most important to her were the "Town" shows she wrote and directed in Portola Valley to raise money for the schools. She was also very proud of the years she volunteered with The Children's Health Council at Stanford Hospital for pediatric cancer patients and 20 plus years with the Peninsula Children's Theater, playing roles such as a Rabbit, a Genie, a Mama Bear and numerous other characters that she adored.





After the loss of her husband in 1996, Barbara moved back to Modesto. There, she was a substitute teacher, on The Gallo Center Board of Trustees and volunteered at El Concilio, teaching English as a Second Language. An avid bridge player she played many games with her Mother and friends. Barbara continued to perform in shows in Modesto and sang with the Modesto Symphony Choir.





Barbara moved into Bethel Retirement Community at the age of 89, where she found a loving group of new friends and caregivers. She brought her humor and talents with her and put together a variety show with songs and skits with the other residents. She was very grateful to have spent her last remaining years at Bethel.





But of all the wonderful things her life offered her, she was most thankful for her children, her four grandchildren and five great grandchildren with two more on the way. Barbara cherished her family more than anything and she has left a beautiful legacy for them to carry on.





Barbara is survived by her son Geoff Bogart (Luz Marina), daughter Dana Wronski (Matt), Brother Ronald Emerzian (Janice), Grandchildren: Geoff Bogart Jr., Frank Bogart, Ellie Tuttle and Sam Wronski and Great Grandchildren: Shiloh, Noah, Charlie, Junie and Henry. Nephews and Nieces: Michael and Matthew Emerzian, Eric Carlson, Karen Hall and Kim Donoho