Beatrice E. (Varvaro) Dolan

Beatrice “Bibi” Emilia Varvaro Dolan of Cooperstown, New York, formerly of Mahwah, New Jersey, passed away peacefully January 3rd, 2025. She was 96 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, NY July 26, 1928, to Frank and Marina (Nicolai) Varvaro, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Walter Dolan, her parents, Marina and Frank Varvaro, her grandparents, Emilia and Frank Nicolai, and her sister, Eloise Roesler.

Growing up in Brooklyn she spent most summers in Kenoza Lake, NY with her Nony and grandfather. Her parents moved the family to Allendale, NJ and then later Mahwah, where Bibi graduated from Ramsey High School in 1946. She went on to work various clerical jobs in NYC, often visiting her Nony in the City and attending the opera with her. La Traviata was one of her favorites. On a blind date one summer at the Jersey Shore, she met Walter, a handsome First Lieutenant in the Air Force. They married in 1953 and moved to Wilmington, Delaware where Walter was stationed at New Castle Air Base. After leaving the Air Force in 1955 they made Mahwah, NJ their home for the next 35 years, raising 4 children.

And that was her passion in life, simply caring for her family. She did so with great love and devotion. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her kids, when they were young or as they got older. After they were grown and starting their own lives, Bibi and Walter discovered the lovely little village of Cooperstown in Central New York. Their oldest son John, who was in college at the time, had made a friend who happened to live there. Convincing them they would love it, they went up for a weekend and were immediately hooked on the charm. They soon purchased 18 acres on a hill in the picturesque Mohawk Valley. After procuring and dismantling an antique barn in upstate NY, they used the hand hewn beams to frame the structure of their dream home in 1990, where they would begin their retirement years. Lovingly referred to as The Barn, they quickly put down roots, got involved in the community, attending weekly mass, and making wonderful friends. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren loved visiting them at their Barn. It truly was a magical place for family and friends. You could always count on there being a big pan of Bibi’s homemade baked ziti in the oven to welcome any guests who came. Their Barn. How they loved making memories there. We all did.

In addition to her family, Bibi adored her Airedales, Petey and Benny, reading Maeve Binchy novels, watching the deer and wild turkeys wander about the property, attending the opera at Glimmerglass Opera House, gazing at gorgeous sunsets and starlit nights from her front yard, and having a glass or two of Paisano each night. She was an avid antique collector, who enjoyed moseying around the countryside of the East Coast, New England, and Ohio to find the good stuff! She and Walter started doing antiques shows in NY and NJ and loved selling her wares and meeting other dealers. Oftentimes she would purchase more than she sold, but she always found the perfect spot to display them in their Barn.

Bibi is survived by her children Marina (Duncan) Hoge, Barbara (Doug) Cannon, John (Kathy) Dolan, and Tim Dolan. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law Deb Dolan, many nieces and nephews, and the loves of her life- her 11 grandchildren: Andrew (Erin) Hoge, Brian (Whitney) Hoge, Brandon (Stefanie) Hoge, Elizabeth (John) Rutter, Ann Cannon, Douglas Cannon, Kelly (Brian) Saverino, Kristen Dolan, Anthony Dolan, Liam Dolan, and Emmy Dolan. Also left to cherish her memory are her beloved 14 great grandchildren: Hazel, Calvin, Mabel, Tyler, Kerrigan, Maddie, Walter, Harrison, Frankie, Brielle, Matthew, Nolan, Morgan and Jack who cherished spending time with their GramBibi. It always put the biggest smile on her face when they were with her.

As the saying goes in Italian, Ecco la Famiglia (Here’s to the family). She will be greatly missed.

Contributions in her name may be made to Helios Care in Oneonta, NY. Interment will be at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ at a later date.