Pat Doran
Former lakeside resident Pat Doran died November 30 in New York City, where she had moved this past year to be close to her two sons, Michael and Patrick Oppizzi.
Pat was raised and educated at private schools in Atlanta, Georgia and went on to study at Bryn Mawr and graduate with a BA from Ogelthorpe University. After completing her studies, she moved north to attend the Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers in New York City. She became a fashion buyer for Macy’s in New York, and met and later married, in 1955, her late husband Charlie Oppizzi.
Pat and Charlie traveled to Europe on a Fullbright Scholarship, enjoying England, Scotland, France and Italy, where they made a pilgrimage to visit Charlie’s family in Calabria, Italy. The only way to get there was by donkey, and Pat noticed all of the window coverings along the way featured fabrics from her ball gowns! This is typical of the many “Pat stories” which enriched the lives of her friends and colleagues. Her great ability to tell stories so vividly led to an amazing career in journalism and publishing.
Pat’s enjoyed a long and distinguished career working as a writer or editor for such well known and respected publications as Women’s Wear Daily, Sportstyle Magazine, Le Coq Sportif, Outdoor Magazine, Ski Magazine, and others. In many of these positions she had complete creative control, and worked with famous models and celebrities. She did this while raising her two sons in Manhattan, in her beloved apartment on Washington Square.
In 1997, Pat decided to change direction and joined her friend Mary Bragg in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to open The Flower Cart, a floral design store. All went well until an over-zealous immigration officer noticed her papers were not in order and sent her back to New York. She then did a stint with J. Walter Thompson as account supervisor, and finally got involved in digital fashion as editorial director at Fashion Planet. She retired in 2000.
That was when Ajijic was lucky to find Pat, who moved here permanently in 2001. She was a volunteer from day one, and began by helping Aurora Michel publish newsletters for the Save the Lake organization. Because of her writing abilities, her superb sense of humor and wit, Pat was asked to be publicity chair for various organizations, including the Garden Guild, and built great relationships with the movers and shakers in town. She never said no to any good cause, and volunteered for Niños Incapacitados and the School for the Deaf, while supporting several children with educational and art scholarships. Pat chaired the Singles Club activities for Lake Chapala Society, the Singles Mix and Match Group, and put on many fun events, including Octoberfest and Oscar Night.
Pat could often be found wherever there was live music playing, especially if it was The Tall Boys, or Noe and his group. She was a great dancer, always the first on the dance floor, and the last to leave a party. She loved having a glass of wine and holding forth at a table, telling her amazing stories. Pat met Bill Lindley, another Southern transplant to Ajijic from Alabama, and they began living the Ajijic lifestyle together until his death in 2012. One of her goals was to complete her memoirs, which she eventually did. Watch out for “Be Damned the Consequences,” finished just before her death.
After many years of declining health, Pat returned to new York in 2019 to live with her son Michael and his family, who cared for her lovingly. A tribute for Pat will be held at a future date.
George Dalton Mobbs, Jr.
George Dalton Mobbs, Jr., 75, passed away November 30 at La Casa Nostra nursing home in Riberas del Pilar.
Born in Venice, Florida, on July 23, 1945, George had a nomadic childhood, living in the different places his father, a career U.S. Air Force officer, was stationed.
George saw service during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Brindisi, Italy. He was co-owner of Pyramid Data Bookkeeping service, located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. George and his partner, Steve, were the first people to live in the newly created Argenta Historic District on Main Street above their business.
George and Steve moved to Ajijic in 2010.
George is survived by his husband, Steve Caver; father, George D. Mobbs Sr. (Gwen), of Little Rock, Arkansas; brothers Ken Mobbs (Paulette) of South Carolina; and Mark Mobbs (Janet) of Oklahoma. George was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Sherer Mobbs.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to lakeside’s “The Ranch” animal shelter at theranchchapala.com.