Barbara Bunting
Jan. 23, 1911-Sept. 27, 2016
San Francisco, California
Barbara was born in Palo Alto, California, on Jan. 23, 1911, and passed away of natural causes peacefully at home, just shy of her 106th birthday. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Edith Parkinson and the younger sister of Frances Shaw (deceased) and Elizabeth Talt (deceased).
Barbara was raised on The Alameda in San Jose when it was just a small town in the Santa Clara Valley, Silicon Valley today, then populated with open spaces and orchards. She graduated from San Jose High School in 1918 and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. She married her high school sweetheart, John, in 1934, a loving bond of 58 years.
They moved frequently during the first few years of their marriage, living in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. Returning to California in 1942, they settled permanently in Menlo Park where Barbara immediately became involved in the community. Her most tireless and ardent volunteer work was as a member of the Charter Woodside Atherton Junior Auxiliary for the benefit of the Stanford Children's Convalescent Home, later the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Her efforts on its behalf were legendary and lifelong.
Barbara and John moved to San Francisco in 1972 and, in 1997, Barbara moved to the San Francisco Towers the very day it opened. She made many new friends there while still maintaining her large circle of friends from the Peninsula, San Francisco and the Francisca Club. She lived each day as it came, welcoming everyone in her presence, always sensitive to their needs above her own. While life dealt her some difficult circumstances, she cheerfully conducted her own with dignity, graciousness, humility and always much mirth and laughter. An avid sports fan to the very end, Barbara followed her favorite football, basketball and baseball teams, particularly Stanford, her husband's and father's alma mater. When Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck graduated and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, she became a Colts fan, too. She was, indeed, a wise and loving role model for her family and all those who knew her. Our world has lost a very special lady. We will miss her dearly.
Preceded in death by her beloved John (1992) and their young son, Johnny (1939-1945), Barbara is survived by her loving daughters, Sally Pitts and Susan Warfield; grandchildren Katie, John, Deborah, Ken and John; great grandchildren, Rebecca, David and Christopher; great great grandson, Jonah; niece Margaret Walter; great niece Melinda; and great nephew, Dwight.
Barbara's family wishes to express its gratitude to Rosemary MacCloud and her staff at the San Francisco Towers, Dr. Martin Lieberman, Dr. Lester Jacobson and to her loving caregivers, Millie Figueroa, Editha Elep, Cathy Mallari and Anna Pascua.
At her request, internment at Alta Mesa in Palo Alto will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Fund, 400 Hamilton Avenue, suite 340, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1805 or to the charity of your choice.
Tags: public service
