Barbara (Zellers) Ross Vogt, a 1952 graduate of Cheltenham High School, passed away on Friday November 10. She was 89 years old.
According to local historian Chuck Langerman, Barbara was a supermodel long before the term became in vogue and was one of the top fashion models to come out of the Philadelphia area.
She began her 55-year career as a junior at Cheltenham in 1950 when she joined the Philadelphia Models Guild, receiving placements in fashion shows, fashion spreads, and fashion ads. She was a show-room model for Murray Hamberger in New York City, specializing in bridal and cocktail gowns.
Although her home base was Philadelphia, Barbara took photo assignments in Boston, New York, Atlantic City, Florida, San Francisco and Acapulco, Mexico.
As she approached the age of 40 and her hair began to gray, her agent advised that she establish herself with aging as a unique feature. Immediately successful, this helped to break the age barrier for mature women and enabled Barbara to remain one of the local fashion industry’s biggest stars well into her sixties.
With a grateful heart for her many blessings, Barbara was a volunteer with the American Red Cross, delivering the blood donations to the headquarters in Philadelphia. She was also a volunteer at Doylestown Hospital. Music was her avocation, singing in numerous choirs, often as soloist.
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Photo: Legacy.com
