Barbara Jean Parker Schmidt ended her battle with colon cancer on May 8th, 2012 in Lompoc, CA. She was funny, gentle and independent to the very end and passed with the full love of her family.

Barbara was born April 25th, 1932 in Glendale, CA to Patricia Doyle Parker and Arthur Irwin Parker. She moved to Santa Barbara in her early 20's and worked as an operator for Pacific Bell. She married John Francis Schmidt Sr. in 1959 and started a family. Barbara raised her three children in glowing health and with dedicated care. In the 1970's she took some classes, taught herself to type and went back to work with Sperry Univac and then Lockheed.

Barbara was an inteligent and independent woman and ahead of her time in many ways. She insisted on whole, organic foods and healthy eating for her family long before it became trendy. She was creative and innovative at home improvement and spent many hours arranging her garden and planting new trees. In her spare time she liked to paint and was very fond of trying her hand at cloisonne. Friends and loved ones regarded her as a sweet, quirky, strong and kind soul with a good sense of humor and pretty blue eyes.

Barbara is survived by her three children, Eva Mary Schmidt LaFaive, John Francis Schmidt Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Schmidt. Also surviving are her sister, Joan Parker Schorr of Roseville, CA. and her ex-husband, John Francis Schmidt Sr.

Private services will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.