Barbara D. Ovalle

1924 - 2021

Barbara D. Ovalle
October 3, 1924 - May 27, 2021
Merced, California - Barbara Dolores Ovalle (nee Nugent) was born October 3, 1924, in Oakland, CA and died on May 27, 2021, in Modesto, CA at the age of 96 years.
She was the beloved wife of the late Jose F. Ovalle for 68 years. Jose and Barbara were the proud parents of eleven children, Marie A. Martinez (Danny), Kathleen D. Elliot (David), Joseph R. Ovalle (Carol), Carmel J. Chace (Rick), Madeline F. Rivers (Joseph), Tomas A. Ovalle (Mary Clare), Annette M. Brown (Gregory), Robert G. Ovalle (Lynnette), Mark C.M. Ovalle, Eileen T. Amsberry (James), and Angela M.O. Hernandez (Richard).
Barbara was the beloved daughter and is predeceased by her parents Raymond Nugent, and Edna Cullinane Nugent, and was preceded in death by her siblings, Francis Nugent, Clare McCracken, Mary Ferguson, Margaret Ginnett, and David Nugent. She leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
Barbara was a 3rd generation Californian and was baptized Catholic and attended St. Cyril's School and Holy Names High School in Oakland. After high school she worked at the CYO and USO as a Secretary. She met the love of her life, Jose F. Ovalle, who spied on her at early morning mass, and later approached her at the USO, acting as if he was conducting a survey, and then cleverly asked her out on a date.
During her marriage, Barbara gave birth to eleven children and enjoyed the art of mothering. She showered her children in love, and encouragement. When her children were grown up, Barbara went to work, continuing her career as a secretary and worked another 12 years before retirement. In their retirement, she and Jose traveled to Ireland, the Holy Land, Mexico and Hawaii. They moved from San Leandro, CA to Merced, CA in 1994 to further enjoy their retired years.
She was a long-standing member of St. Felicitas Church, in San Leandro, CA, St. Patrick's of Merced, CA, and Sacred Heart of Merced, CA. She served as a devoted Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. She was a part of the Catholic Charismatic renewal and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Her faith was central to her life, and she lived out her faith as an example of Jesus Christ. She passed her deep and abiding faith down to all her children and grandchildren. She was a constant and steadfast prayer partner. She exuded kindness, generosity and love. She was engaged in relationships and took time for everyone. She was also a member of the Lay Carmelites.
Barbara was the matriarch of our family, and her grandchildren number 42 and her great-grandchildren number over 38 and she had 5 great-great grandchildren. Her family were her blessings and her joy. Barbara was predeceased by her loving granddaughter, Danielle Martinez. She will be deeply missed and will remain in our hearts.
We would like to thank Dianne Aycox for her many years of love and care of our parents, and Koehn Homecare Services. The family is forever grateful to Barbara's grandson Braddon Koury II, who selflessly served and cared for both Jose and Barbara until their death.
There will be a visitation to share remembrances on June 3, 2021, Thursday evening from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Wilson Family Funeral Chapel at 525 W 20th Street, Merced, CA. The Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 519 W 12TH St., Merced, CA 95341, on Friday, June 4th, 2021. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 am and immediately following a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. The internment will be held June 4, 2021, later in the afternoon at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, in Santa Nella, CA.