Barbara Leone Istre

Barbara Leone Sheets Aguirre Istre died peacefully in Rialto, California just shy of her 92nd birthday—she was 91 at the time of her passing. Barbara is survived by Robert Aguirre, Sharyle Karren, Bradley Aguirre, Lori Chavez, and Dale Aguirre. She is preceded in death by Ronald E. Aguirre and Ellison Istre.

Barbara was born on July 30, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Spencer Bitner Sheets and Leone Greenhalgh. In her early years, she was raised in Salt Lake by her grandmother Jennette Stewart right across the street from the Trolley Square bus depot. She later moved to California with her mother, Leone and her adoptive father Roland Sulsburg. She left home at sixteen, and was married for about one and a half years to Nelson Macintire, who was away at war. She later married Ronald Erwin Aguirre at about 18. He adopted her son Robert Nelson Aguirre and they became a family. Soon they welcomed Sharyle Louise Aguirre into their home. Barbara was full of grit and determination. She was always trying to make her life better. When she and Ron bought their first home in Castro Valley, they decided to take Bob and Sharyle to church. Barbara knew she had an uncle Gordon Hinckley who had some position in the Mormon Church, so they decided to go there. The rest is history! Missionary lessons, baptism, temple and church activity followed. Barbara and Ron were the Stake Dance Directors and organized many Roadshows and Pageants for the Church. They had three more children: Bradley Jay Aguirre, Lori Anne Aguirre, and Dale Alan Aguirre. They were always busy trying to be better.

Barbara was an accomplished dancer and danced her way through life. When asked once how she overcame difficult challenges in her life she responded, “I took it a day at a time—and I danced.” She was an exemplary homemaker and seamstress, and an accomplished baker. She took every opportunity to share her talents with others and blessed those in her circle with her love and attention. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various callings throughout her life. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the love of the Savior guided her actions. She loved animals and enjoyed the company of dogs, cats, and birds in her home over the years.

One of the joys of her life was being a grandmother. She enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren and had no problem keeping up with them even in her 70s because she was active and enjoyed good physical health.

In the early 2000s, Barbara began showing signs of Alzheimer’s and eventually was unable to live on her own. Even in her assisted living facilities, Barbara filled her time with reading books (many of which she would forget to put back in the library), dancing, and singing with her friends. As her memory of people and places faded slowly through the years, she always remembered the names of all her children when asked. Even when she had a hard time remembering who she was, she always remembered their names.

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:00am at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Valley View Chapel. Bishop Loren Nielsen of the Fontana Summit Ward will preside at the services. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Barbara’s life. The family would especially like to thank the hospice staff that ensured Barbara’s comfort in her last days on earth.