Barbara was born on January 19, 1948, to John and Patricia (Beatty) Moffat in Fresno, California at the Burnett Sanitarium (Community Hospital). She graduated from Fresno High School in 1966, and then attended and graduated from California State University, Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a focus on marketing.
As a lifelong Fresno resident, Barbara was passionate about the Fresno community. This led her to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, which included over the years positions at California State University, Fresno, Picadilly Inn Hotels, and Heald College. It also led her to support through volunteering in a number of organizations in the Fresno community, including Rotary Club of Fresno, the Fresno Historical Society, Fresno County Tourism Committee, the Fresno Women’s Network, PTA, and Second Church of Christ, Scientist.
Barbara believed in the importance of volunteering because she saw firsthand, early on, the key role volunteers play in helping non-profits succeed in their efforts to enrich communities. Barbara was a volunteer at heart. She loved working with others and never shied away from helping pull off some large-scale community event. Barb was the ultimate volunteer. Notable awards Barb earned include the Business Partner Award from Fresno Compact 2002, Volunteer Bureau of Fresno County’s Business Volunteer of the Year 2001, and Fresno Historical Society’s Volunteer of the Year 1996.
Barbara leaves the following legacy of family: her two children and their spouses, Catherine (Randy) Hopkins of Clovis, CA and Andrew (Amilia) Henkel of Fresno, CA; and her grandchildren, Addison, Brayden, and Madelynn Hopkins, Skyler Henkel, and McKenzie Obermire. Barbara is also survived by her mother, Patricia Moffat. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 plus years, Steve N. Henkel; her father, John E. Moffat; and brother, John A. Moffat.
A private celebration of life will be held in early 2026. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to Second Church-Christ Scientist, located at 292 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93704.
