Barbara Olivia Forner RN

On July 30, 2015 Barbara passed away while in the loving care of her family. She fought a courageous battle against a most devastating disease while never complaining, offering a smile to all that visited her and continuing to worry about those around her ahead of her own wellbeing. Such was the nature of this elegant lady who always had a kind word and a gentle appreciation for anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Many will fondly remember her during her 41 years living in San Mateo.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, James Forner, daughter Annette Boynton (William), son Rob Forner (Madeline) and daughter Tiffany Forner (Todd Pound) and sister-in-law Nan Forner of Santa Barbara, CA. She leaves behind four grandchildren, Tyler Forner, Wyatt Pound, Sadie Boynton and Everett Pound. They will all miss their "Grammy" and the joy they brought to her as they shared their successes and learnings in life.

Barbara was born in Santa Barbara, CA August 20, 1941, the daughter and only child of Charles and Margaret Burke. She attended Santa Barbara local schools graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1959. Upon graduation, she enrolled in Knapp College of Nursing to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse. After graduating in 1962 she began her nursing career at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. She left nursing in 1967 to pursue her intended second career as a mother. A stay-at-home Mom for over 23 years, she devoted herself to her three children, their education and activities. When the youngest left for college, she re-entered nursing and spent 10 rewarding years as an office nurse in a local orthopedic office.

An avid swimmer, Barbara was a longtime member of the Marlin Masters swim group. During the years following her retirement from lap swimming she could be found at the Joinville pool and, more recently, doing water exercise at the San Mateo Athletic Club at CSM.

Barb and Jim, as their friends all knew them, were fortunate to have had numerous opportunities to travel. They shared memories of places visited from Tahiti to Istanbul. Their last trip was to Spain in the spring of 2014. Most memorable to Barb was a trip "home" to Scotland followed by a trip to Nova Scotia in search and discovery of her ancestral families. Add to those her memories of London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Budapest, Vienna, Lucerne and multiple small ship cruises.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Richard Jordan for his care of Barbara over the past several years. The family also extends their gratitude to Dr. Gary Pasternak and his group of amazingly gifted nurses at Mission Hospice who helped us through this most difficult loss of wife, mother, grandmother and friend to so many.

The family invites her many friends to join them for a celebration of her life to be held at the San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo, CA on Friday, August 14 from 12pm until 4pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in her memory to one or both of her favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity and/or the Nature Conservancy.