Barbara Fraivillig

1945 - 2025

Barbara Colleen (Walkner) Fraivillig passed away peacefully on the evening of December 5, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on November 15, 1945, in Sacramento, California, to Emil and Betalee Walkner. They, along with her two younger sisters, Sue Ann and Catherine Jane, predeceased her. Barbara graduated from CSUS in 1967 with a Major in mathematics and a Minor in music, playing the clarinet in both the college symphonic and marching bands. She then spent a 5th year at CSUS earning her California teaching credential, doing her student teaching at her alma mater, Norte del Rio High School. After getting her credential, Barbara was hired by the Grant Joint Union High School District to teach first at a junior high, then went on to teach at Foothill High School. While at FHS, she was the Mathematics Department Chair for many years, a very active advisor to the CSF club, and made many other significant contributions to the District and school. In recognition of her value and dedication, the District named Barbara Teacher of the Year. Later, she worked part time for several years tutoring students in mathematics at Keema High School for Independent Study. She retired after 45 years in the classroom.

Barbara was an active member of AAUW (American Association of University Women), among other organizations. She joined AAUW in 2009 and served as Reservation Coordinator for 8 years for all Branch events. For 15 years she served vital roles for Speech Trek. For her many years of contributions and a quintessential team player, she was twice recognized as an Eleanor Roosevelt Service Award Honoree. For many years, she was a member, and treasurer, of the American River Patron's Society.

Besides being devoted to her family, friends, and students, Barbara loved music, animals, crafts, entertaining, teaching, and volunteering. She spent many years making sure her sister Sue Ann received the care she needed as her health declined during her long battle with MS. As a math teacher, she was the definition of excellence, not only in her skill as an instructor, but in the way she treated all of her students with individual attention and concern. Barbara also played the clarinet in three different local bands/orchestras for many years while she was teaching and through her retirement. She lived her life with humility, quiet grace, utter selflessness, a bright smile, and intention.

Barbara is leaving behind her many loving friends, long time colleagues, and grateful students. Her friends sincerely thank the in-home caregivers at Carescope for two years of her care and the caregivers at Meadow Oaks in Roseville, Suncrest Hospice of Sacramento, and her ex-husband John Fraivillig for meeting her needs and treating her so kindly for the last 8 months of her life. She succumbed to the effects of the grueling rounds of radiation and chemotherapy that killed the cancer more than a decade ago. Per her wishes, there will be a private internment. If you wish to donate to a charity in her memory, Barbara supported the Roseville Humane Society (Placer SPCA), 200 Tahoe Avenue, Roseville, CA 95678, and the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band.