We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
Barbara "Grammy" Ruth Kummer
January 2, 1932 - February 22, 2021
Jan 2, 1932 - Feb 22, 2021
Photo
Barbara's obituary
Barbara Kummer, community organizer, great-grandmother, avid environmentalist, humanist and deep thinker passed peacefully on February 22nd, in a room lit by candles and smelling of sage, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Born Ruth Barbara Rich to Leland and Ruth Rich of Buffalo, New York, Barbara was a beloved only child who grew up eating too much ice cream (her dad worked in Rich’s Ice Cream factory). She met Bob Kummer in 1951 while she was studying to be a nurse, and he, a doctor. Bob picked her up in a shabby convertible for their first date (a double date picnic) and they were off and running! She and Bob brought Ann (1954) and Mary (1955) into the world, and eventually settled in Mayville, NY, where Bob became the local small-town doctor and Barbara raised the girls and ran the office. Every summer the family traveled (camping, in the family station wagon.) It was on one of these cross-country journeys, that the family fell in love with California. They moved to Napa in 1966. Barbara enjoyed creating her life in Napa, and she continually said yes to opportunities for personal growth.
Barbara enrolled in classes in the Napa Valley Community College, began to volunteer at the local elementary school (as a pianist/song leader as music had been slashed from the budget of the schools), and became the president of the Napa Valley Unitarian Universalist church. She signed up for international home exchanges and traveled often, focusing on cultural exchanges and opportunities to learn and share with far-flung communities, from Guatemala to China.
In her 55 years as a Napa Valley resident, Barbara created a warm and inquisitive space for all that encountered her. She welcomed newcomers to the valley with homemade lasagna, played the piano with gusto for the music classes as Northwood Elementary School, and hosted countless gatherings at her house up Wildhorse Canyon (Native Plant Society, NMAI/The Longest Walk, school field trips- here’s looking at you!)
As a key member of the Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists she believed in human potential and the wisdom of all living beings. An optimist in spite of her studies of environmentalism, climate change, and the pitfalls of the anthropocene, Barbara took stock and faith in the possibilities of the next generation- investing her time and love in young people.
She also demonstrated that soulmates can happen upon you at any age, when she met and fell hard for Len McClish at age 80. Her adult grandchildren carried her new wedding ring in an informal backyard ceremony in 2011. They loved to travel, read, and mostly to be home with each other. Len passed in 2017 while they were on a month-long road trip to the Four Corners. He was 91.
The warmth, comfort, curiosity, and ease of Barbara (Grammy) Kummer will be remembered by the Napa wind, the native plants on the east side of the valley, and in the songs, stories and prayers of her family and those she touched along her path.
She is survived by a bunch of people who share her taste for good food and good conversation: Daughters: Ann Hougham (Carmel), Mary and Bob Zaletel (Oakland), Grandchildren/Great Grandchildren: Jessy and Damian Parr/Estella Parr (Santa Cruz), Michael Zaletel (Berkeley), Hillary Beckett Terashima/Nikko and Lucca Terashima, and Kathy and Michael Brew/ Ashton and Emily Brew.
Donations in her name can be made to the Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists, Pachamama Alliance, at:
https://www.pachamama.org/don… , the Napa County Library or a charity of your choice.
Send to someone
Share this obituary with others
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Pachamama Alliance.
$50.00
Raised by 1 person
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Pachamama Alliance.
$50.00
Raised by 1 person
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
Share this memorial website
How you can help
Share with others
Donate in memory
Created with love by
Jessy Beckett (Barbara's granddaughter),
Mary Zaletel (Barbara's daughter) and
Ann Hougham (Barbara's daughter).
