Barbara Warner Byrd

Barbara (Gillott) Warner Byrd, long-time resident of Lafayette, CA passed away on April 15, 2013 at her home in Danville, CA at the age of 75. She was born December 30, 1937 to Joseph and Patricia Gillott in Salinas, CA.

Raised in San Francisco and Santa Rosa, Barbara graduated from Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa in 1955. Barbara fell in love and married Paul Warner in 1958. Together they raised two strong sons, Danny and Keary, in their beautiful Lafayette home. Barbara and Paul shared many happy years until Paul's passing in 1989. In 1995, Barbara married Zollie Byrd and moved to Huntington Beach. They lived on the harbor and dabbled in racehorse breeding until Zollie passed in 2003. In 2004, Barbara began a romance with long-time family friend, Bob Byers of San Leandro, to whom she was engaged at the time of her passing. As the mother of two sons, widowed twice and again engaged, Barbara was fond of saying that her boys and her men were all a part of her and she's been lucky to have loved and been loved by such wonderful men.

Barbara had a passion for life as fiery as her flame red hair. Wherever she was, she was there living the moment, graceful and sparkling, captivating the room with her carefree style and charismatic laughter. Barbara made friends wherever she went and kept them close to her always. Even after a bout with ovarian cancer in 2001, she never allowed her fragile health to interfere with her active life and her desire to share her positive energy with her friends and loved ones. The many people whose lives she touched along the way will cherish her memory.

Barbara is survived by sons Danny Warner and Keary Warner, their wives Dawn and Kathy, five grandchildren: Shon, Danielle, Jarin, MacKenzie, and Austin Paul; sister Patricia Mirabelli, brother John Gillott, and fiancé Robert (Bob) Byers. Barbara was predeceased by her sister Joanne Denty.

The funeral mass will be on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, located at 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd in San Ramon, CA. Commemorative donations may be made to a cancer support organization.