Barbara Julia Hart Switzer

Barbara, also known as Freddie, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Barbara was born in Upland, California, on January 17, 1931, to Benton and Martha Fredendall. Barbara attended Claremont High School and University California, Berkeley, where she met Frank Hart. They were married November 4, 1951, in Claremont, California, and then settled in Modesto, California. Son Benton was adopted in 1955 and daughter Sandra was adopted in 1958. In 1964, Frank and Barbara moved to the Hart Family Dairy which was eventually converted to an 80-acre almond ranch. They were active members of the Modesto Church of the Brethren where Barbara directed the chapel choir for 13 years. She loved helping people, always putting others before herself. Frank died in August 2007 after almost 57 years of marriage.

In May 2009, Barbara and long-time church friend, Fred Switzer, were married. Fred passed away April 2016. They enjoyed just under seven years of marriage.

Barbara was a homemaker, rancher and a volunteer with Casa de Modesto, American Field Service and Heifer International. Frank, Barbara and daughter Sandy traveled to Kenya, Uganda, Honduras and Mexico in support of Heifer International. Barbara loved to sing in the church choir, play handbells and the violin, bird watch, hike, backpack and camp, and fly fishing. She especially enjoyed her time at Camp Peaceful Pines in the Sierra Nevadas where Barbara and Frank often helped with opening and closing work camps.

Barbara received the JC Penney Golden Rule Award, Liberty Bell Award, Outdoor Ministries Award, Tom Moore Award, and Track and Field Award.

Barbara is survived by two children, Benton Hart and Sandra Whitby (Ed), both of Modesto; three grandchildren, Jeremy Hart, Christen Paslay (Nick) and Melissa Latter (Mark); and nine great grandchildren, Kyler Pruitt, Kolten Pruitt, Briely Pruitt, Kinsley Latter, Kylie Latter, Karlee Latter, Bryce Paslay, Keagen Paslay, and Klayton Latter. Barbara is preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Nelson, of La Verne, California, and Charlotte Kern, of Bend, Oregon.

A memorial service will be held at the Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave, Modesto, California, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Modesto Church of the Brethren or Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202.