Barbara Ann Tom

1939 - 2023

On March 29, 2023, Barbara Ann Tom passed away peacefully in Mountain View in the presence of her family at the age of 83 after a long battle with lung disease. Barbara was born in Acushnet, Massachusetts in 1939 and grew up in nearby New Bedford. She learned piano from her father, Herbert Bowker, a church organist and piano teacher. Her faith in Jesus led her to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1958, where she met her husband, Mainard Tom of Honolulu, Hawaii. After Moody, Barbara and Mainard went as missionaries to Mexico, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East with Operation Mobilization, an international Christian missionary group which operates around the world today. They were married in Paris, France in 1962. After returning to the US, Barbara and Mainard settled in California where they raised their two sons, Bill and David. Barbara taught piano to hundreds of students and was the organist at First Covenant Church in San Jose, Foothill Covenant Church in Los Altos, and Saint Joseph's Church in Cupertino over a period of 50 years. She was also a member of the Sunnyvale Music Association. Barbara's commitment to sharing God's love continued long after her time as missionary. She was involved in countless ministries and Bible study groups in English and French both where she lived and with people from around the world through Global Media Outreach. She instilled a love of God and music in her children and grandchildren and in everyone she met. She prayed faithfully for, and touched the lives of literally hundreds of people. Barbara's love of God, enthusiasm for life, joy in the happiness of others, and care for anyone in need, was undiminished by her struggle with lung disease. Barbara is survived by her husband of 60 years, Mainard Tom; her sons Bill and David Tom; her five grandchildren, Makena, Josh, Duke, Jordan and Justin Tom; sister and brother, Gail Long and Bruce Bowker. A Celebration of Barbara's life will be held at the Foothill Covenant Church located at 1555 Oak Avenue in Los Altos, California at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 8, 2023. The burial will be held at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos on April 5th at 11:00 A.M. Please view/sign guestbook at cusimanocolonial.com