Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Barbara Ann Ligon Matas, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, at Kaiser Hospital in San Rafael.  She was 82.

Barbara was the kind of person who made people feel at home—whether you were a lifelong friend or someone she’d just met.  She had a quiet strength, a sharp mind, and a deep well of patience and kindness.  She believed deeply in doing the right thing, in helping others, and in the power of community.  She will be remembered for her integrity, her dry sense of humor, and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place through local action.

Barbara was born in Farmville, Virginia, on August 19, 1942, the oldest of Jim and Betty Ligon’s five children.  She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her four younger brothers—Jay, Michael, Les, and Gerry.  In her early years at school, she stood out for her hard work and intellect.  She was a top student, and a member of the National Honor Society, when she graduated from Needham Broughton High School in 1960 before heading to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to earn her nursing degree.

After university, Barbara moved to San Francisco and began her nursing career at Zion Hospital, where she met Brian Matas.  They married in 1970, and together they had two daughters—Nicole in 1973 and Mandy in 1975.  After the family moved to Tiburon, Barbara joined the Tiburon/Belvedere babysitting co-op with other local moms—just one of many ways she quietly built community and supported others.

She never stopped learning.  In 1989, she earned her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from San Francisco State University and also trained in computer systems.  Along with three of her friends, she launched a forward-thinking medical billing service for doctors’ offices in Corte Madera.  After a few years, she returned to nursing, working for many years at The Redwoods Senior Community and later at Smith Ranch Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  She continued working shifts into her 80s, caring for others with compassion and skill.

Barbara also believed in civic duty.  She was a dedicated member of the Marin Democratic Party for over two decades—always showing up, always doing the work.  Her work with the Marin Women’s Political Action Committee was particularly inspiring, as she worked to empower the next generation of women leaders.  She also devoted time and energy to the Marin League of the San Francisco Symphony for over a decade.  When she moved to Marin Valley in 2020, she became an active member of the community, generously volunteering her time there.  She also embraced the local bridge community, cherishing both the game and the friendships it brought.

To us—her daughters, her brothers, her grandchildren, and the many people lucky enough to know her—Barbara was a steady, generous presence.  She gave her love without condition.  She listened without judgment.  She had a gentle laugh that made you feel safe.  She didn’t need to be the loudest voice in the room; she simply led by example.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Nicole and Mandy; her grandchildren, Lilah and Alexander; her brothers, Jay, Michael, Les, and Gerry; and all those who felt her quiet light in their lives.

We will hold a Celebration of Life for Barbara at the Marin Valley Clubhouse on Saturday, September 6th, from 2:00pm - 5:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make donations in her memory to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, the Marin Democrat Party, or the Marin League of the San Francisco Symphony.

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