Barbara Gerwe

Barbara Gerwe passed away peacefully at home on July 10, 2023. Barbara was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on February 17, 1930. She attended Wellesley College, graduated from the University of Michigan, and had two Masters degrees from Santa Clara University. After a January visit to the Rose Bowl in 1951, Barbara thought, "Why would you live anywhere else but California?" After graduation, she and her three best friends pooled together funds to buy a used car and headed west to become California school teachers. At a tea dance in San Diego she met a handsome Navy lieutenant named Eugene, which led to 68 years of marriage, seven children, three cross country moves, and many retirement years full of world travel with family and friends.Barbara was always game for an adventure and was a continuous force for good. She loved backpacking and hiking, playing tennis, and watching and scoring baseball. Her favorite t-shirt read "the best things in life aren't things." She walked the talk with her Catholic faith as an elementary school teacher, and with her many volunteer activities which included working as a child advocate, teaching English as a second language, delivering food to the underserved, and more. Barbara is survived by her husband Gene, her sister Kennie Peterson, her children Gretchen (C David), David (Jeannette), Peter (Oksana), Sara (Bill), Kate (Mindy), and Merg (Lauren). She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Barbara is predeceased by her daughter, Mary Alice Gerwe Jubb, and her grandson, Jonathan Gerwe.In lieu of flowers please send donations to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara county (https://www.ccscc.org/donate), or to your favorite left-leaning or socially conscious organization.