Barbara Jean Oliva

Born in San Rafael, Ca in 1928, our mother had family by her side when she departed for Heaven on October 14, 2015. The daughter of a minister, and the oldest of three sisters, she grew up in the small towns of Mendocino, Kelseyville, Tonopah, NV, and Stirling City. She attended Chico High and graduated with a BA from Chico State. She taught school for both Sacramento City USD and Washington USD in Yolo County. She loved teaching, but she also loved music, art, gardening, and roses, especially the "old" rose varieties. After her retirement in 1988, she indulged her passions for all of them, but ultimately the roses won. She traveled extensively, touring gardens in the US, Europe and China gaining knowledge and ideas. She was an original member of the rose rustling team who were instrumental in saving the Old City Cemetery from neglect and developing it into the stunning Old City Cemetery Historic Rose Garden it is today. She spent her days nurturing both the garden and the volunteers who came to help maintain the legacy. Ever the teacher, she shared her knowledge with everyone along the way, to make sure it was not lost. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony J Oliva; parents, George and Jean Proctor; sisters, Elizabeth and Marjorie; and her stepson Terence A. Oliva. She is survived by her daughter, Jean Oliva (Brett Harris); son, Paul Oliva; grandchildren: Grace Oliva, Mark Oliva (Peggy), Andrea Oliva, and great-grandson Ian Oliva. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 at 1pm in the Old City Cemetery Historic Rose Garden at 1000 Broadway, Sacramento. Donations in her memory may be made to the Old City Cemetery Historic Rose Garden.