Barbara May (Garcia) Gomez Obituary

Some people leave this world, but they never leave your heart. Even in silence, their love remains like a footprint that time can't wash away.
Known as Barbara May Gomez, "Babs," "Mrs. G," or "Bingo Barb" to friends, she held an even longer list of cherished titles within her family: Sis, Sister, Comadre, Nina, Aunt Barbara, Grandma, Nana, and, to her daughters, Mom. She truly was the heart of every room she entered, leaving behind the unforgettable memory of her beautiful smile and radiant laugh.

Barbara May Gomez (Garcia) passed away peacefully in the early morning of May 28, 2026, at the age of 87.

Born on June 30, 1938, in Pittsburg, California. Shortly after enduring the Port Chicago Naval Disaster on July 17, 1944, the family moved to Tulare, California in early 1945.

“Babs” graduated from Tulare Union High in 1956, Merchandising G.A.A. (1953, 1954, 1955, Latin America and Advanced Dance Groups (1953–1955), Merchandising & Future Retailers (1956). Her love for dancing was evident as she never missed a high school dance and always wanted to go dancing every Saturday night.

After high school Barbara moved to San Jose to attend Beauty College and married Frank Gomez on Sept 2, 1961. She was a professional beautician until her first of four girls was born in 1962. Over the years, she kept up her talent for cutting hair from home, styling family and friends, and even treating a lucky few to those wildly popular 1970s perms.

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In the Mid 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Barbara dedicated much of her time to The Milpitas Youth Service Foundation. Affectionately known by the community's youth as "Mrs. G" she served as a counselor three nights a week, managed all the bookkeeping, and made sure the kitchen was fully stocked. The kids at the Youth Center adored "Mrs. G" and always looked out for her, regularly helping her lock up the building at the end of the night, she would return the favor, pack her car with as many kids as could safely fit and drive them home.

In 1987, Barbara joined the small Bay Area insurance agency PPI, finding true fulfillment in helping local companies navigate medical coverage and tirelessly fighting for employees to overturn denied claims—a dedicated career that lasted until her retirement in 2009.

Barbara’s ever-present smile brought comfort and happiness to everyone who knew her. Her love for her family and community was evident, as her home was a gathering place for all; from Sunday night dinners with Aunt Barbara, welcoming a foster child one weekend a month, housing an exchange student from Mexico for the summer and another student for the school year, the door was always open. She is what truly made her house a home—a place so inviting that when a nephew was sent there as punishment for getting into trouble and told to paint her house, he didn't complain, because to him, her home never felt like a punishment.

In her spare time, Barbara embraced life with a true spirit of adventure. She found great joy in vacationing in Tahoe, spending her days by the lake with the children and hitting the slot machines at night with her mother. She was also a regular at the local bingo parlors, earning the affectionate nickname "Bingo Barb" and famously claiming her best luck happened under a full moon. Through it all, she never lost her passion for dancing—a perfect reflection of her vibrant and spirited nature.

Barbara’s warmth, strength, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered forever in the hearts of her family and friends. She is survived by her daughters: Elena Magdaleno, Renée G. Emery, Alicia Gomez, Olivia Gomez; her grandson, Vincente, whom she lovingly adopted; six additional treasured grandchildren: Marc, Michele, Raquel, David, Bryanna, and Nicole; ten adored great-grandchildren: Michael, Marisa, Junior, Kenzie, Kendra, Piper, Noah, Rome, Jaylen, and Elias; and her brother, Michael Garcia, sisters-in-law Lucy and Linda Garcia, and son-in-law Hector Munoz.

Barbara was preceded in death and is now reunited with her parents, John and Carmen Garcia; her brothers, Johnny and Leonard Garcia; and her sister-in-law, Ruth Sanchez Garcia.

You were an angel in the shape of my mum

You got to see the person I have become

Spread your wings, and I know

That when God took you back

He said, "Hallelujah, you're home."

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Barbara's favorite charity: St Jude or the donor's favorite charity.