Barbara Ann Wrona

Barbara was born in Waukegan, IL, to Harold Oliver and Claire Joy Olson on March 16, 1944. She was the youngest of three children. She attended Waulegan HS, where she was on the Spirit Squad and made lifelong friendships. She never missed the chance to fly back home to attend a Waukegan HS reunion, which then turned into reunion vacation cruises. Barbara often met up with her "HS girlfriends" for lunch, and, of course, there were many phone calls. We would often hear her chant W-A, W-A, W-A-U-K, E-G, E-G, E-G-A-N, GOOOOOOOO WAUKEGAN!!! As a result, we all know how to spell Waukegan!

She attended Lincoln College where she studied art and later pursued a career as an optician after moving to California, where she worked in the field of optometry for more than 30 years. She always had new glasses to match her stylish wardrobe.

She married Robert Wrona on November 26, 1966. Bob and Barbara moved to Northern CA shortly after they were married, where they had their first two daughters, Kimberly Ann and Megan Joy, before moving to Southern CA in 1973, where they had their third daughter, Leslie Marie. They spent 53 years together on Avolencia Dr. They were so proud of their marriage, which would have marked 60 years this coming Thanksgiving Day.

Barbara was very involved with her family and her community. She was part of PTA as well as a volunteer for all of her girls’ activities, from dance to agriculture and everything in between. She was involved in the National Charity League, Fullerton Chapter, where she volunteered at Meals on Wheels, and Fullerton Civic Light Opera, and she co-chaired NCL's Fashion Show Fundraisers. There were many nights when the Fashion Show decoration committee would come to the house to work on centerpieces that would be sold to raise money for various Fullerton organizations. Barbara loved to paint and took community classes with friends on different painting styles, as well as being an avid and proficient seamstress, making clothing and most of her children's Halloween costumes! Barbara was also involved at St. Juliana Falconeri Church, serving on the bereavement committee and the St. Juliana's hospitality and ushering team. Barbara was also a facilitator and host of St. Juliana's small Christian group, where they would meet to discuss the Bible readings. Although she was associated with her daughters’ schools, community, and church, her heart truly was set on making their house a home. Her love language was cooking, baking, decorating and hosting her friends and family for holiday BBQs, Easter brunch, or an all-night New Year's Eve Party (with matching table cloths and napkins, of course!).

Barbara is survived by her daughters Kimberley Ann Miller, Megan Joy Cecil (Timothy Cecil), Leslie Marie Wrona (Jeffery Mather), and six grandchildren who were her light and joy: Tanner, Claire, Dax Caden, Saffron, and Meadow; sister-in-law Susan Rada; nieces Margo Rada, Lily Manzo-Rada, Chris Ann Drosdick, and Laura Kidd; and brother-in-law Joseph "Bud" Wrona. She is preceded in death by Robert, whom she was married to for 58 years before his death last July 5; son-in-law Steven Miller; father Harold (who she lost suddenly at age 10) and mother Joy; siblings Bonnie Shepard and Bill Olson; and many aunties, uncles, and cousins.

Her service will be at St. Juliana Falconeri Church in Fullerton, CA, on August 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception following at their home and a private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Juliana Falconeri Church, Fullerton Meals on Wheels, or to Fullerton Lions International for your gently used glasses.

https://mowfullerton.org/meals_fullerton_support.html

https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/explore-our-clubs/eyeglasses-and-hearing-aids-recycling