Barbara Marie Gilligan

Barbara Marie Clayton passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025. Barbara was born April 10, 1935, in Santa Rita, New Mexico, the first child of Fred Eugene and Ruth Bates Clayton. (Fun Fact: Santa Rita, NM, once known for a copper mine, is now a ghost town.) Her birth was followed in 1937 by her younger brother Richard. Their family of four moved from New Mexico to San Gabriel, CA, in 1939 where Fred worked as a mechanic in the San Pedro Shipyards. Fred passed in 1943, after which Ruth started teaching 1st grade in the El Monte school district. Barbara attended Mark Keppel High School where she played piano and was part of the chorus. She graduated in 1953. (A lifelong knitter, she knitted her graduation dress.)

Barbara married James Richard Gilligan (Jimmy) on April 24, 1954. James was in the Army at the time, stationed in Okinawa, when their first child, Lynn Louise, was born in 1955. In April of 1955 he was discharged and returned home. Barbara and Jimmy welcomed their 2nd child, Michael James, in 1956. The 3rd, Jan Elaine, in 1958 and their "baby" Patrick Edward in 1962.

During those busy years they moved frequently, living in Whittier, El Cajon, San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Poway, Escondido and finally back to Oceanside. They were avid campers, boaters and frequent visitors to Roberts Cottage #3. She loved music, especially show tunes and pianists; the record player or radio were always on if she was home.

Barbara was a homemaker and volunteer until 1968 when she joined Jim in the grocery industry as an Alpha Beta bakery clerk. She held many positions within the industry and retired in 1990.

In 1986, Barbara and her family suffered the loss of Jan; her passing was tragic for all who knew and loved her.

During their 35+ years of retirement, Barbara and Jim embraced their hobbies: lots of travel, movies, plays, reading and gardening. Barbara loved the water and spent hours swimming at home and later at the YMCA.

She loved cooking celebration meals for her family and was famous for her Fishing Boat Meatloaf. She was terrified of spiders but fearless when it came to adventures like parasailing and zip-lining. She thrived outdoors in the sunshine where she loved to piddle in her garden and watch the ever-present hummingbirds. Over the years, she knitted hundreds, very possibly thousands, of beanies for family, friends, fishermen, skiers and school children.

Barbara is survived by her husband Jim; three children, Lynn, Michael and Patrick; three grandchildren, Scott Thompson, Katie Thompson McCarty and grandson-in-law Matthew, Lindsey Alexander; and one great-granddaughter, Gradie McCarty.

There will be a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2025, at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside.