Once again, Erick Baumeister of our Historians Committee has proven ever vigilant in his scanning of the internet for any news concerning Sayville Alumni. This is no small task—Erick dedicates countless hours searching through archives, online postings, and local notices to ensure that our alumni community remains informed and connected. His work, along with the ongoing efforts of others on the committee, represents a great deal of behind-the-scenes dedication and care. Recently, Erick located information on the passing of Dora.

Birth 11 May 1929

Lake Grove, Suffolk County, New York, USA

Death  25 Aug 2025 (aged 96)

Mattapoisett, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA

1947 Alumna of Sayville High School, Sayville, NY.

A beautiful obituary was found on-line.   Services have already concluded.

Dora Kate (Vollgraff) Doubrava, 96 of Mattapoisett, MA, died peacefully at her home on August 25, 2025.

Dora Kate was born in then-rural Lake Grove, New York. Depending on whether she or her twin brother was telling the story, she was the fourth or fifth of the six Vollgraff children. She grew up in the house adjacent to her grandparent’s farm on Hawkins Avenue, the street named for her extended family.

As she would say, Dora Kate was a lot of name for a little girl and she was called DK by her father, which became Dukie to her siblings and friends. Dukie met and married Joseph Doubrava of Bohemia, NY in 1953. The couple shared almost 67 years of marriage, living in Bellport, Lake Grove and Mattituck, NY before moving to Mattapoisett, MA in 2013. Together they raised four children, witnessed the birth and growth of five grandchildren as well as the birth of four great-grandchildren.

Following the path of her mother, older sister, grandfather, aunt and uncle, Dora Kate became an elementary school teacher, and taught until the birth of her first child. After spending thirty years raising her family, she became a realtor working in the Hamptons for her third career.

Dora Kate was known for her love of animals, starting from the time on her grandparent’s farm. She helped raise or host a series of animals including chickens, cows, horses, a donkey and a long series of dogs and cats. As an adult she always had several cats, all of whom adopted her, showing up on her back deck and staying for the party. She also loved the water, beginning with long road trips to Florida as a child (6 children in one car, driving 1,500 miles on Route 1!) and continuing during her time in Mattituck and Mattapoisett.

Dora Kate was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2020. She is survived by her four children: Tim Doubrava and his wife Christina of Riverhead, NY, Jeff Doubrava and his wife Beth of Marion, MA, Derrick Doubrava and his wife Debbie of Clintondale, NY and Tracey Doubrava of Newport, RI; five grandchildren Andrew Doubrava and his wife Tiffani Ortiz, Alex Doubrava and his wife Renata, Erin Buboltz and her husband Billy, Matthew Doubrava and his wife Hailey, and Emma Finnerty; and four great grandchildren Isabella Doubrava, Alexander Doubrava, Riley Buboltz and Carson Buboltz. Dora Kate was also predeceased by her five siblings and their spouses – she was the last of her generation.

The family would like to express its thanks to the caregivers who helped Dora Kate remain comfortable and independent in her last years: Darlene Oliveria; Erin Spooner; the Community Nurse hospice team – most notably Sandi Dias; and the FCP team – most particularly Valura Robinson.

A joint memorial service for Dora Kate and Joseph Doubrava will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals at 50 County Road, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.