Barbara Sy-Facunda

Barbara Gerle Syfacunda (1961-2023) was born and raised in Duelmen, Germany. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Ronald Syfacunda, her two sons John Patrick and Christopher, her loving parents Paul and Hildegard Gerle, and her brothers Klaus and Jochen Gerle.

After graduating from the College of Technology and Media in Germany with a degree in Finished Garment Technology, Barbara embarked on a successful career with the Steilmann Group, Europe's largest garment manufacturer and distributor. With her exceptional skills and dedication, she rose to the position of station leader of production in Shanghai, China. She covered the whole southeast area of China, including Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. She also worked in various countries such as Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, further expanding her professional experience.

Barbara's life took a beautiful turn when she met Ronie Syfacunda in Shanghai in 1990 at a dinner hosted by a business associate. As Ronie recounts, "We sat across the table and started talking to each other. I asked her if she played squash and she said yes. Before we left, I told her I'll need her phone number if she wants to play. She made the mistake of giving it to me." Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, with Ronie traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai once a month, they fell in love. Barbara joined Ronie in Westlake Village, California, in 1993, and they were married the following year. They moved to Florida briefly for a couple of years where their son, John Patrick, better known as “JP”, was born in 1996, before returning to Westlake Village, where Chris was born in 1998.

As a devoted stay-at-home mom, Barbara actively engaged in her sons' schools as a volunteer. She established an art program for kindergarteners, creating a curriculum that was later adopted by Westlake Hills Elementary School. Her program introduced students to the works of master artists, teaching students about different artistic styles and techniques.

When JP and Chris entered high school and joined the swim and water polo teams, Barbara dedicated her photographic talents to producing end-of-season books and slide shows, capturing the memorable moments and achievements of the teams. Her creations became a beloved tradition, cherished by team members and parents alike.

Barbara and Ronie valued family connections and made it a priority to visit their respective native countries, alternating summer family vacations between Germany and the Philippines, creating lasting memories. Photography, arts and crafts, viewing sunsets at the beach, knitting, tennis, and hiking were among Barbara's favorite activities, showcasing her creative spirit, athleticism, and love for nature.

Barbara took immense pride in her sons' accomplishments and supported their dreams. Both JP and Chris pursued engineering degrees, with JP ultimately choosing a career in law enforcement as a Police Officer in Ontario, CA, while Chris continued in the engineering profession, becoming an Engineering Program Manager at Tesla in Fremont, CA.

In 2017, Barbara received the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, which was later compounded by the diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) the following year. With her trademark courage and resilience, she faced these challenges head-on and even embraced Neuro Boxing, a sport for Parkinson's patients, as she fought against MSA.

Surrounded by her loving husband, Ronie, her devoted sons, JP and Chris, their girlfriends, Alex and Jules, and cousin Rita, Barbara passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023. Her family and wide circle of friends cherish her deeply and hold her memory close to their hearts. Barbara will be remembered for her boundless creativity, unwavering courage, generous spirit, and kindness that touched the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy will endure, inspiring others to embrace life's challenges with strength and grace.

Friends are invited to a memorial at St. Jude’s Catholic Church at noon on Saturday, June 24, 2023. They’re located at 32032 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Reception and tribute to follow at the St. Jude's Catholic Church Hall. Barbara wanted this celebration to have people wear bright colored clothes.

The arts had always been a big part of Barbara's life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Art Trek: https://www.arttrek.org/donate-barbara-syfacunda