Chris Bargar

1943 - 2025

Chris Schwartz Bargar, the beloved wife and adventure partner of Daniel W. Bargar, succumbed to an extended illness on August 26, 2025, in Santa Rosa, CA. Born November 17, 1943, in Medford, Massachusetts, to Bette and Clarence Christiansen, she graduated from Lasell Junior College in Newton, MA. Chris was working as a secretary when she met the first love of her life, Stephen Collins Schwartz. They married in 1966 and moved a few years later to Santa Rosa with their toddler son, Craig. Daughter Heather was born soon after, and Chris was an active parent while Steve flew for United Airlines. Chris imbued in her children a love for nature and trying new things, helping Heather explore her love of horses and encouraging Craig's dreams of flying. Chris and Steve purchased a cabin at Lake Pillsbury, and her children have cherished memories of their time spent there.
Chris worked as Spring Creek Elementary's secretary for years, sharing her welcoming nature with the school community. She opened her home to Heather and Craig's friends, making them feel part of the family. A gifted quilter, she created gorgeous, intricate works of fabric art. Chris was a consummate chef and gracious host, and her warm smile and dry sense of humor put everyone at ease. Christmas was her favorite holiday; she delighted in decorating and sharing family traditions. When her sister Carol Peterson moved to Healdsburg with her husband Mark and children Whitney and Jeff, and her parents Bette and Clarence Christiansen moved to Sonoma from the east coast, Chris would host everyone for elegant holiday and family dinners.
When Steve died unexpectedly in 1992, Chris was left starting over after 26 years of marriage. To her surprise, love blossomed between her and longtime family friend and widower Dan Bargar. What started out as mutual grief support grew into almost 30 years of adventure and a love both thought would never again be theirs. Dan and Chris may have married in a quiet, intimate service in 1998, but they lived life out loud: flying across Botswana to safari camps, multi-week cruises across the Pacific Ocean, exploring Egypt, sailing the Panama Canal, viewing the Northern Lights in Iceland, cruising Asian rivers, and attending musicals in NYC and London were among the many, many expeditions they did together.
Chris is survived by her husband Dan Bargar, her son Craig Schwartz (Wendy Schwartz), her daughter Heather Conneely (Patrick Duffy Conneely), stepdaughter Kathleen Bargar (Steve Viarengo), stepson William Bargar (Connie Bargar), as well as her sister Carol Peterson. She is also survived by her grandchildren Ian Schwartz, Bailey Bronston and Bennett Bronston, Kellan Conneely and Kenzie Conneely, Lauren Viarengo and Grace Viarengo, and Lily Bargar and Logan Bargar, as well as great-grandchildren Sadie Schwartz and Colter Schwartz, and niece Whitney Harrington and her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Bette and Clarence Christiansen, and her first husband and the father of her children, Steve Schwartz.
A celebration of Chris's life will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Church of the Roses. Chris will be interred alongside her first husband Stephen Collins Schwartz in a private service at Pleasant Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Church of the Roses, 2500 Patio Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 (PayPal is available for donations at www.churchoftheroses.org) or your favorite charity in memory of Chris.