Celebrating the Life of Barbara Lumbard:  A Remarkable Woman, A Remarkable Life

Barbara’s greatest love was her family---her late husband Lee, her children Sharleen and Marvin, her grandchildren Brian, Jason, and Alex, as well as her six great grandchildren, Declan, Alvric, Ainsley, Ruby, Serenity and Opal. She was a doting grandma and took pride in being the loving matriarch to an incredibly close family.

Born in Inglewood, California on August 14, 1928, Barbara was a child of the Great Depression moving around the greater Los Angeles area with her parents Albertine and Floyd Wright and her sister Louise. Her father Floyd was continually searching for the next job as a Packard mechanic. When she was nine years old her family settled in Glendale where she lived until she finished college.

Barbara graduated from San Jose State University in 1950 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. After World War II she felt driven to help people recover from their trauma. She met her loving husband senior year and was married a month after graduating.

Barb and Lee moved into their first home in Palo Alto, CA and completed their little family with the birth of Sharleen in 1952 followed by Marvin in 1954. In 1959 Barbara continued her education and received her elementary school teaching credential. She was a beloved fifth grade teacher for over 25 years.

In 1968 they had their custom dream home built in Los Altos Hills, CA where she lived for over fifty years. After they were both retired Barb and Lee traveled the world for many years until his untimely death in 1998. Barbara continued to travel extensively solo, with her friends and family until she was in her 90’s.

Barbara loved writing and participated in several writing groups where she wrote hundreds of historical and fictional short stories. She was also a prolific genealogist tracing both sides of the families’ roots back to the 1500’s. One of Barbara’s many passions was antique collecting.

After her grandson Brian’s family moved to Denver, her daughter Sharleen, son-in-law Bob, grandson Jason, his family and Barbara all moved to Castle Rock, Colorado. Her son Marvin and daughter-in-law Rayna frequently visited the family from their home in California from 2019 on.

After Sharleen’s untimely passing in November 2022, Barbara was heartbroken and passed away six weeks later, the day after Christmas. Barbara and Sharleen and their special closeness and loving presence will always be in our hearts.

Our family requests all flowers and cards be sent to 16445 Mozart Way, Los Gatos, CA 95032.

Please make any donations to the Behavioral Diabetes Institute in San Diego, CA in her memory.

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