A beautiful woman inside and out who always thought of others first, Barbara passed away peacefully of natural causes at Eskaton Skilled Nursing Care at 93. Born in Oakland, CA, Barbara attended Anna Head School in Berkeley and Lasell College outside Boston. After returning to California, she reconnected with childhood friend George McConnell, marrying him in 1950. She was active in many Sacramento women's organizations, serving presidencies of the Sacramento Women's Dental Auxiliary and Chapter SA of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Sisterhood.
Barbara traveled extensively, enjoyed 53 years of golf and a lifetime of entertaining family and friends year-round at Lake Tahoe, where she water skied on her 60th birthday.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Imogene Sherman Smith and Elwood Howard Smith of Carmel Valley; husband George McConnell, DDS, in 1992; and son Thomas McConnell in 2002. Survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kennedy (Steve) of Sacramento; grandson Kyle Kennedy (Lavinia) and great-grandchildren Ryan and Emma Kennedy, all of Falls Church, VA.; and many cousins.
Services will be private. Memorials are suggested to the PEO's Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin Blvd., Nevada, MO, 64772.
