Tributes

On June 11, 2023 Barbara was called home to be with her heavenly Father. Barbara was born in McPhetters Hospital on March 27, 1933 to her parents, Clarence and Ruth Patten. She was a native of Modesto, California and the youngest of three daughters. She grew up on a farm in Keyes, California with her two sisters, Janet Parker of Arizona and Pat Cunningham. She leaves behind her two children, David Patrick Larson (Tina) and Pamela Lynn Perata (Armond), five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She dearly loved her five grandchildren Steven, Kyle, Katie, Shelby and Mick, and her ten great-grandchildren Emma, Calvin, Helene, Gabriel, Rhett, Lettie, Atticus, Boe, Carter and Siena. Barbara's family loved to entertain. They celebrated fifty consecutive Fourth of July neighborhood block parties. Christmas and birthdays were always very special, filled with many traditions, lots of fabulous food, fun and laughter. Barbara had a great love for her church family at Geneva Presbyterian Church. She was involved in many activities there. She was an Elder, a member of the weekly Quilters and a bell ringer in the choir. She always had a passion for education. She received her educational degrees at the University of California at Berkeley, where she became a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. She was the president of her house and one of the first female song leaders. After receiving her teaching credentials, she spent fifty years as an educator in Stanislaus County. Her duties included school teaching, administration, curriculum consultant and ten years of working as a supervisor for student teachers at Chapman University. Education and children were a very significant part of Barbara's life. She loved to write and journal. This creative side led to one of her favorite projects, the creation of a children's cookbook. Over the years, Barbara served her community participating in many groups and projects, community boards and the Modesto Gardening Club, which was her favorite. She became an avid gardener. Barbara loved her dear friends, church family, traveling, reading, gardening, flowers, and above all else her family and her home. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. There will a viewing on June 29, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 North Soderquist Rd., Turlock. A Celebration of Life service will be held on July 29, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Geneva Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow at the church, 1229 East Fairmont Ave., Modesto.

Tributes

Barbara D. Nelson

March 27, 1933 - June 11, 2023