Longtime Lucerne Valley educator Dolores Barela
For more than 45 years, Dolores Barela dedicated her life to the children, families, and staff of Lucerne Valley Unified School District. On Thursday, November 6, 2026 the woman who brightened the lives a several generations passed away.
“Her impact reaches far beyond any title or job description,” Superintendent Peter Livingston said in an emotional tribute that was shared with staff on Thursday. “She was a trusted mentor, a source of wisdom, a champion for students, and a familiar face who welcomed generations of children through our school doors. Dolores was recently recognized for her extraordinary service to our district, but those who knew her understood that her greatest accomplishment was not the years she served. It was the countless lives she touched along the way.”
There are former students who became parents, and parents who became grandparents, who all knew Dolores. Few people leave behind a legacy that spans generations. Dolores did exactly that.
A number of those touched by Dolores also shared personal remembrances on Facebook and Instagram following a notice of her passing on Thursday.
“She was a genuine light,” wrote Jake Anthony. “I have such fond memories of her in elementary school, her office was always a safe space for me.”
“I had Mrs. Barela as a teachers assistant in one of my classes,” said Lisa Booth who estimates she was helped by Dolores in 1970. “She came to know my girls and also my granddaughter. She will be so missed. She was amazing and kind.”
“Nothing was too big or small for her. She was secretly superhuman,” wrote Jennifer Cimmino.
“I have had such a heavy heart since learning yesterday of your passing. I will never forget the almost 11 years that I shared working in and out of your room,” Cyndie Granados said.
“Dolores and I were neighbors and friends. She was an amazing, caring person with a great sense of humor,” wrote Andrea Ary.
“She was one of the first people I met when my daughter started coming to this school two years ago…. She was very passionate towards kids and she loved her job,” Ruby Balenton said.
“Her departure hurts me. Twenty years of knowing her. Thank you for loving my son,” Martha Alvarez Terriquez wrote in Spanish.
“She was such a sweet soul,” Jim and Marsha Souza said.
“Mrs. Barela was such a special person, and I will always remember the kindness she showed me back in 2006 when I had just moved into the district,” Love Marie shared.
“My heart is broken. Dolores you will be so missed. Your humor, warmth, love and kindness made everywhere you went so much much better,” Chris Pennington wrote.
“Dolores holds a very special place in our hearts,” Jamie Morrow wrote.
“This news hits me right in the heart,” Randy Reynolds said.
“She was a kind soul generous heart and always helped us when we needed the help, and she always called to let me know if anything was going on with my son and daughter,” Lisa R. Diaz wrote.
“What a lovely lady,” Lorraine Fraser shared.
“You truly were a gem and one of the most kindest people I have ever met,” Vanessa West-Rosas said.
“Thank you so much for loving each and every one of us,” Marina Chicca shared.
“She was a remarkable woman,” Tyler K. Bisbee shared.
“She never spoke an unkind word,” said Dina Marie Garibay.
“Thank you for your friendship, humor, and love. I’ll miss you,” Lorie Raschke wrote.
“I will always love our talks, and how hard we laughed over the crazy things that the kids said. From day one when I started at LVES in 1998, you were in my room and making me feel such a part of everything and so comfortable and so cared for,” Kay Meadows Hall shared.
“That woman was literally an angel,” Neilla Grey wrote.
“When I first came to work at the school she was the first person who kind to me and I will never forget that,” Billie Stebbins shared.
“Solo queda decir gracias gracias por toda es dedicación que tuvo atraves de los años hacia todos las personas que la rodearon. Mi más sentido pésame para toda su familia. Dios la reciba con su brazos,” said India Armendariz, which translates in English to, “All that remains is to say thank you, thank you for all the dedication you had over the years towards all the people around you. My deepest condolences to her entire family. May God receive her with his arms.”
Superintendent Livingston said, “You will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always a part of the Lucerne Valley family.”
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