Barbara Lorain Vieira

Barbara Lorain Vieira was born in Fresno, California on July 18, 1928 and raised in the City of Lemoore. She passed on January 22, 2026 and went to be with the Lord.

Her parents were A.F. and Golda Borges. Barbara had a brother named Richard Borges who has passed and a younger sister named Hazel Richner. Her family moved to Lemoore when she was two years old.

Barbara and her husband Fred had three children: Fred A. Vieira from the Santa Cruz area, Lorna McDivitt from Fresno and Steven Vieira from Ashland Oregon. Their grandchildren are Jenny Karibian from Fresno and Ryan Vieira from Ashland Oregon.

Barbara graduated from Lemoore High School in 1947. She was active in drama and helped direct the junior and senior plays. Barbara also played the clarinet in the school band. Barbara was a cheerleader in High School for 3 years and played on the basketball team for 4 years. After graduation from High School, she attended Fresno City College and worked part time at Oliver’s pharmacy in Lemoore.

Barbara married her soul mate from Lemoore High School, Fred Vieira. They were married for 60 wonderful years before Fred passed. Fred was the star quarterback on the football team and he later played softball for the Handford Kings. The Kings were the world champions in softball in 1950 and he was named “All American Third Baseman”.

In 1950 Fred and Barbara moved to the Fresno area in Easton where they farmed and both held other jobs. In 1951 Barbara was hired by the City of Fresno Recreation Department as a recreation leader in the after-school program where she worked for five years. In 1960 Barbara was hired by the Board of Directors for the Calwa Recreation Park and offered the position of Park leader. She later became the Park Director. She worked there for 30 years and truly made a difference in a lot of young people’s lives.

Barbara also volunteered at Saint Agnes Hospital for many years after retirement. She also assisted her daughter Lorna who coordinated the golf program along with Pattie Liscio PGA pro for the Clovis Unified School district. The kids were kindergarten to 6th grade and a perfect fit for everything Barbara loved.

We received the following text message from one of our cousins that we wanted to share:

From cousin Toni, “So, a wonderful story, I worked with a guy named Phil. He retired last year but when I went to Barbara’s 90th birthday party, Phil had asked me what I had done on the weekend and I told him about the birthday party and he said what is her name again. He said I know her! I was a foster kid and my best memories growing up was going to the Calwa program, Barbara was so kind. It was the highlight of his week to go there and play”.

Over the years we have heard a lot of stories like this one. Many kids from low-income families that remembered Barbara from Calwa Park Recreation Center that went on to be successful members of the Fresno community. She was known to break up fights, be a strong but loving leader at the park and even let some kids without money into the pool area to protect them.

Saying Barbara had a passion for golf might be an understatement. She took up golf in 1951 and played until she was almost 90 years old. In 1966 she made her first and only hole in one on a golf course in the Palm Springs area. She made many friends and lasting relationships with everyone on the Women’s Golf Club at Airways Golf Club. She was proud to be a member and friend to everyone.

For over 25 years the Vieira family had their annual golf tournament complete with a 3-foot trophy and great family gatherings. Typical turnout for the tournament was about 40 family and friends.

Barbara and Fred were loyal participants in the State Portuguese Association and played in that golf tournament for a lot of years.

All three of Barbara’s children play golf, both grandchildren are good at golf and both great grandchildren are learning how to play golf! Barbara was famous for “no gimmies” she was a bit competitive and her ladies golf club counted putts for money! She was focused and fun at the same time on the golf course and a really good putter!

After retirement, Barbara and Fred continued to farm in South Fresno and spent a significant amount of their time helping to love and care for their grandkids. It was their passion in life!

After Fred’s passing, Barbara down sized her home to a condo and then lived in a senior retirement home. Barbara decided to move to the Nazareth House here in Fresno in early 2021 after she had a small stroke. She said it was the ultimate place where she would be happy to live and ultimately pass with the Lord. At the Nazareth House she was active in Bingo games, card games and even played Bocce Ball. She had a lot friends there which included the great staff.

Barbara fought through a lot health issues in her 90’s She was a very strong Portuguese lady with a will to live and enjoyed people. We were always amazed at her strength to recover.

After her passing on January 22, 2026 we went down to pack her belongings at the Nazareth House. We found dollar bills from her bingo and card games in her dresser drawers and purse. The last thing to be packed was her walker and as I folded the walker, I lifted the lid and found about 70-dollar bills. Apparently, it was her cash stash. It put a big smile on our faces remembering how much she enjoyed playing the games at the Nazareth House with her friends. A big day of winning might be $4 dollars most of the time she might win one or two dollars or nothing at all. It was all about staying active with her friends; having a will to live; and serving the Lord!

Barbara is survived by her son Fred A. Vieira and his significant other Gayle Taylor; her daughter Lorna L. McDivitt and her husband Stanley L. McDivitt; her son Steven A. Vieira and his wife Linda Vieira. Barbara also has two grandchildren, Jenny Karibian and her husband James Karibian; Ryan Vieira and his wife Molly Vieira-Coelho. Barbara has two great grandchildren, Brooks Karibian and Brynn Karibian. Barbara is also survived by her younger sister Hazel Richner.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday February 8, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home – 836 E. Nees Ave. Fresno, California 93720.

The funeral service will be held on February 9, 2026 at 10:30 am at the St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, 1572 E Barstow Ave, Fresno California 93710. A burial service will follow at Clovis Cemetery District 305 N. Villa Avenue, Clovis, Ca 93612.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Nazareth House for the special care given to Barbara over the entire time she lived there. We consider them to be very special people serving residents and the Lord.

To honor Barbara, please consider a donation in-lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association at the following link:

https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/HeartWalk/WSA-WesternStatesAffiliate?pg=personal&px=31275237&fr_id=13216

Barbara, Lorna and Jenny have all actively supported the American Heart Association over the years!

Friends and family are invited to view Barbara’s legacy at www.whitehurstsullivan.com and shares your love and condolences.