26 Apr 1930 – 12 Oct 2024
2nd-Great-Granddaughter of Philip Cardon and Martha Marie Tourn
Great-Granddaughter of Jean Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin
Granddaughter of Susette Cardon and Joel Edward Ricks
Daughter of Paul Cardon Ricks and Lilas Myrl Cole Gillispie
Barbara was born in Berkeley, California to Paul Cardon Ricks and Lilas Mryl Gillespie Cole joining her brother Paul Cardon Ricks Jr. followed by her brother David Joel Ricks. During WW II, her mother became stranded while teaching in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Barbara and her younger brother went with their civil engineer father to Panama when he was assigned by the US government to protect the Canal. Returning to California after the war ended, she graduated from San Francisco State with a degree in music education.
It was at San Francisco State, Barbara met John B.G. Smith, a fellow educator, and they were married in December 1950, shortly before he was stationed at Camp Beale during the Korean Conflict. Returning to the Bay Area, Barbara and John welcomed daughters Debra Cardon Smith and Wendi Cathlyn Smith before relocating to Marysville, CA where John and Barbara served as administrators in the Marysville school system. In 1962, their son, Stuart Paul Ricks Gilchrist-Smith, was born.
Barbara and John divorced in 1972. Barbara remarried A Terry Cummings and became an orchardist in Arboga, CA. Barbara lived a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure, embracing her many roles as a mother, wife, grandmother, friend, aunt, sister, cousin, teacher, farmer, landlady, seamstress, world traveler, and feminist.
Barbara was ever the teacher, as she guided us into so many incredible experiences. We will always remember her love of travel, reading, genealogy, her little dogs (her bow-wows), chocolate milkshakes and her joyful spirit. She will be deeply missed, but we know she is ready for her next great adventure.
Barbara is survived by her children, 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild. Remembrance services will be held at a later date.
-Published online at www.neptunesociety.com
She was cremated as per findagrave.com memorial ID 275684193