Barbara Jeanne Brown

Barbara Jeanne Ayres was born on April 18, 1932 to Walter Stanley Ayres and Leila Lucille Wingert Ayres. In 1947, they moved from San Bernadino to Newhall, California, where Barbara met the love of her life, Ralph Clifton Brown.

Ralph and Barbara were both members of the first graduating class of William S. Hart High School in 1949. He was on the football team, and she was a pom pom queen. That same year, Barbara was also crowned the queen of the 4th of July Newhall parade. Ralph and Barbara got married in 1950, and began their long and beautiful life together.

Barbara loved to dance, and performed in many venues such as military bases, hospitals, the Hollywood Canteen, and movie theaters. She opened and operated the Barbara Ayres Dance School in Newhall for two years, but when she decided that she’d rather be performing than teaching, she gave one final recital and closed up shop.

While raising their children, Barbara worked at Newhall Elementary School, Hart High School, and Saugus High School. She later opened her own business selling Shaklee products, and supplied all her grandkids with supplements and mealshakes. She also attended Shaklee conventions in places like San Francisco, Nashville, and New Orleans.

Barbara took up golfing in 1974, and played in tournaments all over Southern California for about 40 years. She served as the president of the Valencia Women’s Golf Club from 1986-1987, and was team co-captain from 1987-2000. During her golf career, she got 3 hole-in-ones. She also began carrying a pink rhinestone flask with cinnamon whiskey in it to keep her warm during chilly mornings on the green.

Barbara loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, often taking them to see movies and plays at the local community theater. No holiday party was ever complete without her crab dip and her white chocolate haystack cookies. She was always dressed in style and perfectly accessorized, with her hair done and her signature pink manicure.

In 2019, Barbara and Ralph moved into the newly opened Oakmont of Valencia so that Ralph could receive memory care. Ralph passed away in 2022, and Barbara was one of the last remaining founding residents at Oakmont at the time of her passing. She outlived her four siblings, Joanne, Carole, Robert, and Ronald. Barbara had 4 children, 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

Barbara always said “okie doke” when hanging up the phone, and she always had a dish of candy set out for her grandkids to enjoy. She was warm, unshakeable, classy, and dignified. She was the beloved matriarch of her family, and a dear friend to many.. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.