Barbara May Gomez

Some people leave this world, but they never leave your heart. Even in silence, their love remains like a footprint that time can't wash away. Known to the world as Barbara May Gomez, to her friends as Babs, Mrs. G, Bingo Barb, and to family as Comrade, Sister, Nina, Aunt Barbara, Grandma, Nana, and to her daughters as Mom—she was the heart of every room she walked into.

Barbara May Gomez (Garcia), passed away peacefully the early morning of May 28, 2026, at the age of 87.

Born on June 30, 1938 in Pittsburg California. Shortly after enduring the Port Chicago Naval Disaster on July 17, 1944, the family moved to Tulare, California in early 1945.

“Babs” graduated from Tulare Union High in 1956, Merchandising G.A.A. (1953, 1954, 1955, Latin America and Advanced Dance Groups (1953–1955), Merchandising & Future Retailers (1956). Her love for dancing was evident as she never missed a high school dance and always wanted to go dancing every Saturday night.

After high school Barbara moved to San Jose to attend Beauty College and married Frank Gomez on Sept 3, 1961. She was a beautician until her first of 4 girls was born in 1962. (After which she did continue to cut hair and give the popular 70’s perms from home to the lucky few.) In the late 60’s and most of the 70’s Barbara worked for The Milpitas Youth Service Foundation at the Milpitas Youth Center; where on Wed, Friday and Saturday nights the youth of that community could come hang out, buy snacks, play pool, ping pong, boards games, cards or just watch tv. “Mrs. G” made sure the center kitchen was always fully stocked, she also did all the bookkeeping & served as a counselor 3 nights a week.

The kids at the Youth Center adored “Mrs. G” and always looked out for her, they would help her lock up each night and then she would drive home as many kids could fit in the car at the end of the night to make sure they got home safely.

After a 20 plus year run with the Youth Service Foundation she worked various jobs and then went to work for a small Insurance agency as a representative helping Insure smaller companies in the Bay area.

Her ever-present smile brought comfort and happiness to everyone who knew her. Her love for her family was evident, as her home was a gathering place for all; from Sunday night dinners with Aunt Barbara, taking in foster child one a weekend a month, or an exchange student from Mexico for the school year, the door was always open. One nephew was sent to the house as a punishment for getting into trouble and told to paint Aunt Barbara's house, but to the nephew it didn’t feel like a punishment to be there.

In her spare time, Barbara embraced life with a spirit of adventure. She found joy in vacationing in Tahoe. Visiting the lake during the day with the children and hitting the casinos at night with her mother! When she couldn’t hit the slot machines she loved to play Bingo. Affectionately known as Bingo Barb at the local bingo parlor. She said she was lucky on nights of a full moon. And she never gave up her passion for dancing; a reflection of her vibrant and spirited nature.

Barbara’s warmth, strength, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered forever in the hearts of her family and friends. She is survived by her daughters: Elena Magdaleno, Renée G. Emery, Alicia Gomez, and Olivia Gomez; her grandson, Vincente, whom she lovingly adopted; six additional treasured grandchildren: Marc, Michele, Raquel, David, Bryanna, and Nicole; ten adored great-grandchildren: Michael, Marisa, Junior, Kenzie, Kendra, Piper, Noah, Rome, Jaylen, and Elias; and her brother, Michael Garcia, and sisters-in-law Lucy and Linda Garcia.

She was preceded in death and is now reunited with her parents, John and Carmen Garcia, two of her brothers, Johnny and Leonard, and her sister-in-law, Ruth Sanchez Garcia.

You were an angel in the shape of my mum

You got to see the person I have become

Spread your wings, and I know

That when God took you back

He said, "Hallelujah, you're home"

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Barbara's favorite charity: St Jude St Jude Memorial donation or donor's favorite charity.

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