Barbara Curtis

It is with great sorrow that I announce Barbara Curtis passed away peacefully on the morning of Tues., August 8, 2023, in Sacramento, CA at the age of 93. She was supported during her final months of living by her loving and devoted daughter, Kathy (Rambo), her ex-husband, Gary Travis, and surrogate daughter, LoriAnn Asmus. Barbara was preceded in death by one daughter, Valerie (Vance), and leaves behind another daughter, Rachael (Clark) and son-in-law Eric, and granddaughters, Christina & Valerie , and a grandson, Joshua (Rambo), and 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, a nephew, Henry Mason and wife Trish, a niece, Christy Thomas, many cherished friends that she considered as part of her family, namely Jeff & Fred Switzer, Luann Griener, Jill Wenger, and Dottie Devey. She also had other brothers and sisters from both families that have preceded her in death that I hope she has now reunited with in heaven, as well as other cherished friends she considered family.

Barbara was born on April 15, 1930, to George and Beatrice Thomas in North Kingtown, RI, but later adopted around the age of 2 by Henry & Louise Curtis. She grew up in Rhode Island and enjoyed singing in her church choir. One of her childhood friends was Ronnie Brown, who later became a very famous jazz pianist. He played the organ and piano at her church. He also loved listening to her sing, as she had a beautiful voice. Singing wasn’t Barbara’s only talent though. She also wrote poetry, was an oil painter, sewed, and created many various items to sell at crafting fairs. She was also an exceptional gourmet cook. Aside from all those talents, she also loved helping people and baking for them and just doing things for others. As one person once said, “her energy was infectious and inspiring.” She was a very active person up until she turned 91 and that is when she started to slow down. It was a very hard transition for her to accept given her natural high-energy level and by 92 she was no longer an active person, and that made her very depressed.

She had many different types of jobs through the years. She worked as a waitress in some of the finest restaurants in Sausalito, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. She also worked as an apartment manager at various properties, she was a drug store manager at several locations, a gift shop manager in various cities, and finally a store owner in Sacramento selling home décor items.

She will be missed by so many of her friends at the Casa De Flores Mobile Home Park where she last resided. She so enjoyed going to the potlucks, playing bingo, and attending the holiday gatherings that were held at the clubhouse. She also enjoyed getting dressed up for those various occasions. Barbara was a very classy lady and knew how to dress. She always felt that even if you are poor, you should always look your best and take pride in yourself.

Her light may have left this world of ours, but she will live on in the hearts of all those who knew her and loved her. She was a great lady and I’m so proud to have been able to call her my mother. Mom, may you sing with the angels in heaven now and I hope that Ronnie is at the piano accompanying you once again. Rest in peace now and enjoy your new eternal life. I’m so glad that you are no longer in pain and agony. I’m so happy and thankful that we got to share this life together. You made it quite the ride. Gary and I will be ok. We have each other to lean on. I love you to the moon and beyond.  

Lastly, I would also like to thank everyone at American River Hospice for their kindness and support during the final months of providing care to my mother, Barbara, and especially on the morning that she passed. I’m so very grateful and blessed to have finally had the chance to meet the two Sonya’s that day, so that I could personally thank them for the care they rendered to her. They were both so sweet during that very difficult day when I had to say my final goodbye to my mother. Thank you so much for being with me and Gary.

A celebration of life has not been scheduled yet but hope to have something planned for mid-September or October. Details will be announced privately.

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