Barbara Gamlen

Barbara Dolores Gamlen 1923 - 2012 Barbara Dolores Gamlen passed away peacefully at her home in Hillsborough Tuesday, March 27. Born on December 29, 1923 to Adeline and Lawrence McDermid, she had one brother, Robert Lawrence McDermid, who passed away in 2010. In 1943, Barbara met Richard Allan Gamlen and the rest was history. While Allan was serving in WWII, Barbara attended UC Berkeley and worked at the San Francisco Call Bulletin in the advertising department. Barbara and Allan were married on April 5, 1947. This year would have been their 65th anniversary. They had two children - Dennis and Tod - and lived in San Francisco, South San Francisco and eventually Hillsborough. Barbara belonged to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in San Mateo where she was very active on various committees. In 1956, she and Allan joined the California Golf Club where she made her closest friends playing bridge and doing what she loved best, entertaining. A cancer survivor and lover of life, she had a passion for music, languages (particularly French), and travelling. She loved playing tennis, ice skating, piano, and most of all spending time with her family. Barbara is survived by her loving husband Allan, two sons Dennis and Tod, daughter-in-law Marie Jose, four granddaughters - Barbara, Julia, Michelle, and Victoria - and many nieces, nephews and very dear friends. Special thanks to her amazing caretakers at New Haven, especially our beloved Juliet and Elvie. She was an elegant and kind woman who was never judgmental and always put others first. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 31 at 11:00 am at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in San Mateo at One S. El Camino. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to a favorite charity in Barbara's honor. Barbara will be laid to rest at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo in a private ceremony.