Debbie, a native San Diegan, was born at Mercy Hospital on July 18,1960, and grew up in Mission Hills. She was the daughter of Dr. Manuel Barba and Patricia Barba, and one of eight children.
Along with her seven siblings, she attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and University of San Diego High School (Uni). It was in her junior year at Uni where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Carl Howell.
She attended Stanford University along with her older brother, Denis, where she graduated in 1983 with a degree in Mathematical Sciences, and was one of the only women in her major. After graduation, Debbie returned home to San Diego, where she lived in Mission Beach and worked for a defense contractor.
Debbie and Carl married in 1985 at The Immaculata Catholic Church, across the street from where they met at Uni. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where their first two children, Tricia and Edwin, were born. While Carl worked at Frazee Paint, Debbie taught software classes before becoming a full-time mother to Tricia and Ed.
After nearly 10 years in Phoenix, the family moved back to San Diego to their home in Bankers Hill. The family of four turned into a family of six with the additions of Denis and Tito, both born at Mercy Hospital like their mom and dad.
Debbie’s life revolved around her family, home, and faith. She was her children’s biggest fan, waving her pom-poms at countless sporting events, graduations, and plays. An avid windsurfer and body boarder, she loved beach days with her family where she was the first one in and last one out of the water. Debbie enjoyed making fantastic Halloween costumes for her children and her grandchildren and loved hosting holiday parties for her family and friends. She loved to paint, travel, camp, bike Fiesta Island with Carl, and relished family trips to the Sierras, snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking. Debbie would close down a bar with her children and be at daily mass the very next day with her husband.
Debbie will be sorely missed by her loving husband of 36 years, Carl; four children, Tricia (Bill) Walsh, Edwin (Alexa), Denis (Jenny) Howell-Stiles and Tito; five grandchildren, Carl, Tom, twins Shane and Kelly, and Quinn; seven siblings; eleven nieces and nephews; seven grand nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; and many life-long friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated April 17, 2021 at 10:00am at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mission Hills (4080 Hawk St., San Diego CA 92103). Preceded with the Rosary at 9:30am. The service will be live streamed on St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church’s YouTube site.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation in support of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Mission Hills.
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