Barbara Mills

Barbara Toms Mills Aged 87, of San Francisco and Smith Ranch in San Rafael, died peacefully with her family at her side on Oct. 21, 2010. Born in Hoboken, NJ in 1923 to George Parker and Marion Fagan Toms, her family moved to California when she was a young child. Barbara attended high school at Dominican Convent in San Rafael and graduated from Vassar College in 1944. After graduation, she settled in San Francisco where she met her husband, Captain William "Bill" Nichols Mills. They enjoyed over 55 years of marriage, until Bill died in 2006. Barbara taught English and social studies at Lowell and George Washington high schools in San Francisco. In the early 1970s, she was a hands-on, hard working advocate for San Francisco's fledgling recycling program. A low handicap golfer, Barbara was captain of the Ladies' Annex at San Francisco Golf Club. She was a founding member of the Queen Midas Investment Club which thrived for 50 years and was also a member of the Town and Country Club of San Francisco, where she was often found at the bridge table. For many years, she and Bill spent weekends sailing with friends and their three children. In later years, they exchanged their sailboat for beautiful hilltop acreage in Yountville, where they enjoyed both the labors and the fruits of owning rural property--from chopping and burning brush to entertaining friends as they listened to the open-air concerts at the Mondavi vineyard below. Barbara was an extraordinary woman, admired for her elegance, grace and determination. Like so many of her generation, her experiences growing up during the Depression and WWII helped to forge her character and world view. A strong woman, she set high standards for her family and for herself. Her generosity came through in many ways, as a patron of the arts and local charities and as a volunteer. Her intelligence was expressed through her clear thinking and interest in literature, current events and financial matters. Ahead of their time, she and Bill embraced a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, which rewarded them with good health throughout their final years. To the end of her life, those who came in contact with her were inspired by her beauty, vitality and poise. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Cathy and her brothers, Parker, Chuck and Bob Toms. She is survived by her brother, Larry; her son, Parker, and his wife, Laura; and her son, Robert. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held on November 3rd at 2:00 pm at the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Martin de Porres House Foundation, 225 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94103.