After a 5-year battle with breast cancer, Barbara Ann Nicholson peacefully left to be with the Lord on May 7, 2015 in Hayward, California. She leaves behind her husband, Steven, daughters, Danielle and Deanna and son Ronnie.

Barbara was born in San Francisco, California on December 8, 1962 to Emily M. Burns and Elliott N. Bartholomew.

Barbara spent her younger years in San Francisco and her teenage years in Millbrae where she attended Capuchino High School. She continued her education at Skyline College where she received her AA Degree in Business Administration.
She worked for Genentech for many years and subsequently met her husband Steve through her girlfriend Stacy who happened to be Steve's sister. They will have been married 20 years this September. She continued working until she became a mother to their first daughter. After that she was a very devoted wife and mother and was involved in homeschooling the children for a few years and then volunteering in the schools once they transitioned to charter school. She was also very involved with their activities, especially the girls' gymnastics. Her enormous heart and giving spirit touched all those who she came in contact with. She always made sure to put others first no matter what, especially her children. She had a loving, kind beautiful soul and was a class act til the very end.

Barbara is survived by her husband Steve; children Danielle, Deanna and Ronnie; mother and step-father Emily and Albert Burns; father Elliott Bartholomew; sisters Deborah Torrano and Kimberley Turpin (Mario Turpin); niece Brianna Chandler; nephews Barry Chandler, Bobby Nicholson and Kyle Turpin; mother-in-law Joyce Jones; brother-in-law Troy Nicholson (Cindy Nicholson); sister-in-law Stacy Chandler (Barry Chandler); sisters-in law Amy San Filippo and Joy San Filippo, as well as several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial mass will be held at All Saints Church, 22824 Second Street, Hayward, California, on June 25th at 10:30 am with a gathering to celebrate her life immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the: National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2600 Network Boulevard, Suite 300, Frisco, TX. 75034.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 21 to May 24, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Nicholson

13 Entries

Debi Lamp

May 13, 2020

Barb, I cannot believe it has been 5 years since you have left our earthly world and entered into God's heavenly kingdom surrounded by the loving light of the Lord. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. I was just thinking about the fun cookie parties we hosted with all of our friends at Christmas time each year. When I think of Christmas I think of you.

Bonnie Niemann

May 13, 2019

I think of Barbara, Steve and the kids so often. The memories I have of Barbara comes from teaching her daughter Deanna for two years. Barbara was everyone's mother - she always brought a smile through tears, a fresh perspective, and a fun time for all. Even as she neared the end of her life, she kept her positive spirit and selfless concern for those around her. She was one of a kind and will always be missed.

Eric, Erica & Elaina Gamble

June 4, 2015

Our family will keep you in our prayers. Loosing a loved one from this earth is hard, but know that she is with the Lord. Barbara will remain in your hearts forever. A mothers love transcends time and space and covers you with love always. She will forever be your guardian Angel. May God bless you always. The Gamble Family

Sarah Fuller

May 28, 2015

To the Nicholson family, we are so very sorry for your loss of sweet Barbara. What an honor it was for all of us who met her, and had her touch our lives and be forever in our memories. God Bless.

Taylor and Lisa Bartholomew

May 27, 2015

To the Nicholson family and Barbara's sisters and parents, we're so sorry for your loss. We're praying for peace and comfort for you. Growing up, I remember Barbara to be a truly sweet and gentle person. She will be missed.

Joe Bertran

May 26, 2015

Barbara is a great loss to this world. I have always seen and felt the sweetest kindness and caring in Barbara even while she is in great pain and suffering truly a remarkable lady, wife and mother. May God bless her soul.

Kathi Segalas

May 25, 2015

Barb is and always will be my beautiful special friend. We have been friends since we were six years old and there are so many memories. Most people don't even get to have such dear friends let alone for so many years. We watched ourselves grow up and our children especially throughout time. There are no words to articulate the depth of our friendship and my deep loss I feel. At the same time, I know and feel Barb's love, spirit and she is in my mind's eye every where I turn. She touched my life in the most important ways any human could. While I cannot call her, see her and hug and kiss her, she is forever in my heart, soul and mind. I only hope her family and all those other lives she touched know and feel what I do. She is always going to be with her loved ones and I feel very blessed to have had her in my life and to be one of her best friends. I cherish every gift of love and life we shared. God bless her always.

Chuck & Rachelle Bartholomew

May 24, 2015

Sweet sweet Barb ! You will forever live in our heart and in
Our memories of times shared. You have left us with the gifts
& beauty in your children. Until we meet heaven, we are missing you. Love Love You!!! chuck & Rachelle Bartholomew

Laurie QuadrosTamez

May 22, 2015

Dear Nicolson family and friends,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Barbara in your family. Sending healing prayers your way and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember her in your lives.

Bonnie Niemann

May 21, 2015

Barbara brought sunshine into any room she entered, even throughout her illness. All who knew her can consider themselves lucky and a better person for it. She will live on in all of our memories and through her beautiful children.

Debi Lamp

May 21, 2015

My dearest Barb,

I miss you so much. It was an honor to be your friend for these past 45 years. You were like a sister to me and I have so many wonderful memories held in my heart that we shared over all these years. These memories are so dear. From the laughter we shared as 6 year olds at St. Johns and then into our teens and then adult years. You were always there for me like a sister and I know you were there for all who needed your gentle voice or hand. Barb, I know you are up there in heaven as one of God's lovely angels watching over everyone and I know you will listen whenever I need my friend to talk to. Love and hugs to my dear friend.

Amy San Filippo

May 21, 2015

To the sweetest sister-in-law a girl could ever ask for. Barbie, I feel truly blessed and forever grateful to have had you in my life and in our family. You were always so angelic like and now you will be my guardian angel watching over me. You will forever be in my heart and I'm lucky to have had all the wonderful memories we shared together. Rest in peace my beautiful Barbie! Hugs and kisses all the way to heaven!!!

Joy San Filippo

May 21, 2015

Sweet Barbie,
I'm happy & feel blessed to have known you and you have been a big party of our family for the past 20 plus years. You were a wonderful Mother, Wife Sister, Daughter and a wonderful sister in law to me and my sisters and brother. You were like Snow White to me pure, honest and kind soul. I will miss you now that your not here, but I feel honored to have known you and I'm happy that your are no longer suffering and are with God now. You were a brave lil soldier and fought this battle with grace and never acted like a victim.. I truly love you and I know your smiling down on us and your family. I will see you again My sweet little Barbie. Heaven is a better place now with you in it..

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