On February 14, 1945 in Pharr, Texas, Irma Sanchez was born to Guillema and Luciano Sanchez. She was the youngest of six children. One year later, the Sanchez family moved out west to Santa Barbara, California. Irma was a member of the first graduating class (Class of 1963) from the new San Marcos High School. After high school, she took her marriage vows with Charles Barbee in August of 1965. The two have remained married for 46 years until her passing on June 4, 2012. She made her way in life with her sewing skills and assisting her husband in his upholstery work. Irma's hobbies included baseball; she was an avid LA Dodgers fan, as well as being a volunteer in the local community. She enjoyed sewing, and in particular she would make costumes for different functions as well as holidays. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, bingo and word searches with the family that she loved dearly.

She died Monday, June 4, 2012 at the Lompoc Skilled & Rehab Center.

Her parents, Guillerma and Luciano Sanchez and sister Mary Gutierrez precede her in death. As we say goodbye to Irma, she leaves behind a husband of 47 years, Charlie Barbee of Lompoc; brothers, John (Barbara) of Goleta and Abundio Sanchez of Santa Maria; sisters, Lupe Juaregui of Santa Barbara, Anita Loredo (Martin) of Santa Maria; children, David Barbee (Mona) of Las Vegas, NV., Caroline Barbee of Santa Barbara; grandchildren, Suzanne, Selena, Christopher, Mikke, Cecilia, Cambria, Emma, Jonah and Ethan; and great-granddaughter, Khloey and numerous nieces and nephews.

A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. A memorial mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, June 15 at La Purisima Catholic Church with Celebrant Rev. Thomas Kelly of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Inurnment will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary.