Barbara Vas

1939 - 2025

Barbara Vas
07/02/1939 - 01/21/2025
Barbara Esme Vas, age 85, of Millbrae, CA, passed away on January 21, 2025, after a two-year battle with peritoneal cancer. She was born on July 2, 1939, in Hong Kong, to Frederico Nathalio Da Cunha and Idalina Maria Da Cunha, nee Remedios.
Barbara lost her father at a very young age and was raised by her mother, with help from close relatives. She emigrated to San Francisco in 1958 with her mother and brother, and was soon joined by her husband, Bernard. Barbara is survived by her brother, Gerald Cunha (Rosalind); son, David Vas (Nicole); and grandchildren, Gregory Carini (Ashlie), Anthony Carini, Bernard B. Vas, and Audrey Vas. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Vickiann Carini, in July 2010; and loving husband, Bernie, in September 2023.
In addition to raising a family, Barbara selflessly worked full time over her entire career (for D. Zelinsky & Sons, Bechtel, and the San Francisco Airport district) to send her children to parochial schools (St. Cecilia, Mercy High and St Ignatius), fund music lessons and college. She was an amazingly caring and involved mother, and remained extremely close to her daughter, Vicki, until her passing. She also cared for her mother during her life in the US.
While Barbara was the disciplinarian and undisputed queen of the family, she was also the fun one. She was the mom that rode roller coasters, raced kids from the parking lot to the front door of church on Sundays, enjoyed all the UMA (Uniao Macaense Americano) and Lusitano functions, swung at the sound of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock," dragged Bernie into square dancing, joined the Red Hat ladies, socialized at the San Bruno Senior Center, and travelled the world with her husband and close friends.
Barbara will be remembered most for her generous nature, get-up-and-go, and of course, her cunning wit and mischievous personality.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for later this winter.