Barbara Frances Gaffey

GAFFEY, Barbara Frances – 83, of St. Helena, CA died peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Born July 5, 1928 in San Francisco. Preceded in death by her father, Daniel J. Lyons, and by her husband of 47 years, Dennis D. Gaffey. Barbara is survived by her mother, Frances Lyons (“Tiny Gram”) of St. Helena; son Michael Gaffey and daughter-in-law Pauline of Fremont, CA and grandchildren James, Mark and Mary; son Patrick Gaffey and daughter-in-law Anne of East Lyme, CT and grandchildren Cashel and Daniel; daughter Mary Quinn and son-in-law Robert Quinn of Napa, CA and grandchildren Megan, Brendan, Clare, Michael, Sean, and Joseph; and son Daniel Gaffey and daughter-in-law Karen of St. Helena, and grandchildren Kevin and Katherine. Also survived by brothers-in-law Rev. Kevin Gaffey of Menlo Park, CA; Brendan Gaffey of San Francisco; William Gaffey of Sutter Creek, CA; sister-in-law Mary Hutchings of Millbrae, CA; five nieces and nephews and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews.

Barbara attended Mission Dolores School and Notre Dame High School, San Francisco. A 1950 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, she was a teacher at Guadalupe School and West Portal School in the San Francisco Unified School District.

From 1964-1968 Barbara and her family lived in Hong Kong, before moving back to the U.S. to make their home in La Canada, CA. She taught at St. Bede’s School in La Canada and in the Alhambra School District. In 1984, the family returned to Northern California, where Barbara was an active parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church and member of the Altar Society, tutored students at the parish school and enjoyed golfing at Chimney Rock Golf Course.

The Rosary will be said at St. Helena Catholic Church, 1340 Tainter Street at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16. The funeral Mass will be celebrated there on Friday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2121 Spring Street, St. Helena.

Please visit www.MorrisonFuneralChapel.com to offer condolences. Gifts in memory of Barbara can be made to Napa Valley Hospice. Arrangements under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, CA.