Barbara Borg Bechelli

1946 - 2026

Barbara Bechelli
04/16/1946 - 02/20/2026
Barbara Borg Bechelli passed away on February 20, 2026, in Napa, CA, at the age of 79. Barbara was deeply loved by family, friends, and the communities she served throughout her lifetime in San Francisco and her native Washington State.
Barbara was born on April 16, 1946, to Theodore and Katherine Borg of Pateros, WA, and grew up along the banks of the Methow River in the North Cascade foothills. In her youth, she won state awards for singing, Girls State, academics, and earned a music scholarship to the University of Washington. Her career in fashion led her to San Francisco, where she married the love of her life, Richard Bechelli, and lived for decades in the Marina District.
Barbara was a vibrant member of her San Francisco community, with longstanding involvement in the Olympic Club Foundation, Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club, University of San Francisco, San Francisco Ballet, and St. Ignatius Parish. A love of cultural exchange, tennis, golf, and fly fishing guided many of Barbara and Richard's travels throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and mountain rivers from Alaska to Wyoming. With characteristic warmth, wit, and generosity, Barbara made lasting friendships wherever she went. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, and grandmother and leaves a legacy of enduring positivity and love.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Bechelli (2011), and is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Kristian Gyorkos, her grandchildren, Joseph and Katarina Gyorkos, and her siblings, Charles Borg (Nancy), Ken Borg (Virginia), and Lynn Mavrakis. A family memorial will be held in the Methow Valley. Donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the Olympic Club Foundation (524 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94133) or Salesian Boys' & Girls' Club (680 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133; www.salesianclub.org).