Barbara Ann Retchless

Barbara Ann Retchless, age 91, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, in Tracy, California.

She was born on September 16, 1933, in Ferndale, Michigan, the youngest of seven children of Placid and Theresa LaBelle. After growing up in Michigan, she met the love of her life, Bernard "Bernie" Retchless. They married on July 2, 1955 after only a few short months of knowing one another, and moved to California, where they shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and devotion until his passing in 2008.

Barbara and Bernie raised their family in Belmont, California, with their children always at the center of her world. She was deeply involved in her Catholic faith, attending Mass every Sunday and living out her values of love, generosity, and devotion to others. In 1978, Barbara and Bernie purchased a cabin in Twain Harte, California, where they eventually retired and made it their home. The cabin became a gathering place filled with family Thanksgivings, summer days at the lake, nights on the deck, and countless cherished memories.

The proud matriarch of her family, she is survived by her seven children: Renee Vernazza, Beth (Rhea Posedel) Guilhot, Rick (Stacia) Retchless, Charlene (Todd) Reimche, Jim Retchless, Marc Retchless, and Scott (Stephanie) Retchless. She was also a devoted grandmother to 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and were blessed to know her love, humor, and guidance.

Barbara will be remembered for her quick wit and dry sense of humor, her generous spirit-especially with friends-and the way she laughed so hard she cried. She loved her soap operas, cherished road trips across the United States with her family, and delighted in sharing time together while visiting loved ones near and far. She built a legacy of faith, love, and laughter that will live on through the generations.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernard, and her six siblings.

A service celebrating her life will be held on August 29, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Belmont, California. Family and friends are invited to gather and honor her remarkable life.

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her family, friends, and all who knew her.