Dolores (Dolly) Grace Campos – Melella

Dolores Grace (Campos) Melella, age 92, of Fresno, CA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, March 20, at the Skyview Residential Care Home in Fresno. She was born on Dec. 8, 1930.

Dolores, who was affectionately known as "Dolly," attended Edison High School and graduated in 1948. She was also a graduate of Fresno City College and Woodbury College in Los Angeles.

Dolly spent most of her years in the Fresno area except for the years when she was at Woodbury College. Throughout the mid-1950s and early 1960s, she worked for the State Department of Transportation - Division of Highways. She also worked in real estate for several years.

Everyone who knew Dolly knew that family was of the utmost importance to her. She enjoyed sharing stories about her life and family history. An avid traveler, she often said her fondest memories were those she created during her many trips abroad with family and her friends. Creative activities such as gardening and painting and working with stained glass were among her greatest pleasures. She had a passion for the arts and music, especially jazz. She enjoyed watching sports and rooting for her favorite football team, the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Above all, Dolly was a devoted mother, a loving grandmother, a kind auntie and a loyal friend. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Dolly is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Marie Campos, who were among the first Filipinos to migrate to the San Joaquin Valley and settle in Fresno. Also preceding her in death are her sisters Violet (Campos) McCoy of Hanford, CA, and Florence Mangaoang of Daly City, CA; brothers Benjamin Bernabe of Anaheim, CA, and Nathaniel Bernabe of Apache Junction, AZ; and her former husband, Ernie Melella of Yonkers, NY.

Dolly is survived by her sons Richard Melella and Vincent Melella, both of Fresno, CA. Vincent's wife Kay and their children Anthony and Gianna; Richard's children Lauren of Los Angeles, CA, and Dylan of Coarsegold, CA; Dylan's wife Danielle and their daughters; great-granddaughters Emery Schulcz and Farren Rose Melella; and several nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Mass will be held at the St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, 1572 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno, CA, at 10 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2023. To celebrate Dolly's wishes as well as her vibrant personality- "Jolly Dolly" as she would like to introduce herself to strangers as, wished that attendants to her memorial wear aloha attire with uplifting colors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Hines Hospice of Fresno, Ca.