Barbara Mary McBride

Barbara Mary Bernard McBride, 74, born in Los Angeles, CA and passed away suddenly in Long Beach, CA. Barbara went to Ramona Convent High School in Montebello and attended Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, earning her teaching credential. She married the love of her life, whom she met on a blind date, Richard D. McBride, in South Pasadena on July 16, 1960. The two moved to Chicago where Dick attended Loyola University of Chicago earning his dental degree. While in Chicago, Barbara began her long teaching career teaching both 2nd and 4th grades in the Chicago public schools. They moved back to Long Beach in 1964, with their first born son, Timothy Leo, and made Long Beach their permanent home. Four more children joined the growing McBride family; Patrick Lenahan, 1965, Mary Joseph, 1968, Michael Richard, 1969 and Kathleen Melia, 1980. During this time Barbara was a stay at home mom and volunteering in their parish, St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Once the children were in school, she began teaching again. In 1972, Barbara and Dick began to get very involved in Marriage Encounter, eventually becoming the Executive Team leaders of the United States 1976-1978, and the Executive Team leaders of World Wide Marriage Encounter 1978-1980. In 1980 they were invited to attend the Synod of Bishops in Rome, one of only 12 lay couples invited from around the world. In 1983 Barbara and Dick were appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Council on the Family, representing the United States, speaking and attending conferences in Rome from 1983-1988 on the issues facing the modern family and married couples. During the 1980's the McBrides also worked with the Los Angeles Archdiocese teaching marriage preparation classes and were members of the US Catholic Commission on Marriage and Family. During the late 70's and 80's, Barbara opened up their home and lovingly mothered over 60 unwed pregnant young women, giving them a home when they didn't have one. Barbara authored a book for parents on sex education for children entitled Love and Creation. Barbara loved working with children and was a very dedicated teacher. She taught 4th grade at St. Joseph Elementary School in Long Beach for 1 year and then in her home parish of St. Barnabas teaching a variety of grades, finding her calling in the 8th grade. She then became the first lay principal of the school in 1994, continuing through her retirement in 1999. During her early retirement she was a substitute teacher in some LA Archdiocese Long Beach schools and, until just recently, volunteered for Treasure Hunt Thrift Store benefitting New Life Beginnings. She and her husband Dick enjoyed traveling to many countries throughout their marriage, and in their retirement years, being members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Long Beach. Barbara is survived by her husband of almost 53 years. Dr. Richard McBride, children Timothy (Chantal), Patrick, Mary Jo (Steve Rockenbach), Michael and Katie; 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Alexandra, Ian McBride; Ryan, Shane, Colin, Emily Rockenbach; Cassanova, Lucky, Ivey, Natalia Diaz; and brother Thomas (Denise) Bernard. Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher and friend. She will be missed tremendously.