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Jun 27, 1925 - Oct 13, 2014
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Barbara Anne (nee Reeves) Robins Morris passed away peacefully on October 13, 2014 at the wonderful age of 89.
Barbara was born in Glendale, California on June 27, 1925. She was raised in Claremont where she attended school. She graduated from Claremont High in 1942, graduated from Pomona College in 1947 and one week later married Fred Robins. They lived in Claremont while Fred obtained his teaching credential. They moved to Trona, CA with first daughter Jan in 1948. In 1953 they moved to Visalia with 2 more daughters, Linda and Donna. Fred taught physics, engineering and math at College of the Sequoias.
While in Claremont Barbara started her community service activities by having a Sea Scout troop and she also began her lifelong commitment to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was very active in the Sequoia branch of the AAUW who awarded her a life membership. She was a proud member of the organization for 66 years! As the girls became older Barbara joined the Visalia Art League and Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild where she was in charge of the Blood Bank for 10 years. She joined the League of Women Voters, was a leader in the Girl Scouts, 4-H and PTA (holding offices in both the local and district groups). She was the treasurer for the Tulare County Symphony League, belonged to a number of bridge groups, one specifically that she had belonged to since 1955. She was a charter member of Assistance League Visalia, belonged to the La Dansant Dance Club and later joined the Visalia Dance Club. In 1963 College of the Sequoias granted Fred the first sabbatical leave. The family of 5 traveled across the United States visiting the few junior colleges they could find where Fred visited the physics labs. After Fred completed a month long class at Tufts University in Boston they took a ship to Europe where they gypsied for a year in a VW van. They were in Brussells Belgium when they received word of the assassination of President Kennedy. This was an unforgettable moment for the family. In 1966 the family bought a cabin that a tree had fallen through at Huntington Lake. This purchase changed their lives. Summers were spent with the entire family helping to rebuild the cabin. It was a special place for friends and relatives to visit throughout the years. Barbara enjoyed spending the entire summer at the cabin from 1966 – 2013. Fred passed away in 1993 after 46 years of marriage.
She was fortunate to find another wonderful life partner in Ben Morris who she married in 1997. The couple traveled extensively often taking Elderhostel trips, enjoying plays and symphonies. They danced wherever they could find the music but mostly at the Tulare Senior Center.
Predeceasing her was her mother Leo Brennan, husband Fred Robins, dear sister-in-law Winnie Van Ginkel, and step daughter Rebecca Morris.
She leaves to cherish her memory sister Joyce Kressen, husband Ben Morris, daughters Jan Johnson of Minnesota, Linda Leach and husband Tim of Madera, Donna Nottingham and husband Richard of Visalia, step daughter Jody Morris of Michigan. Grandchildren: Kathy Dill and husband Jeff, Beth Parady and fiancé Peter, Allison Leach, Ryan Leach and wife Lidia, Todd Nottingham and wife Tracey, and Kelly Bedford. She also leaves a loving group of nieces and nephews and great grandchildren from the Robins, Van Ginkel and Kressen Clans. She also inherited, with welcoming arms Ben's step family, the children and grandchildren from his marriage to her dear friend Marguerite Munson.
A celebration of her wonderful life will be held on Saturday, October 18th from 1 – 3 pm at Quail Park – 4520 W. Cypress Avenue, Visalia, CA. In lieu of flowers, she has requested donations be to: Visalia Sequoia AAUW Scholarship Fund – PO Box 6, Visalia, CA 93279 Or Assistance League Visalia - PO Box 4108, Visalia, CA 93278 Or Tulare County Symphony League – PO Box 4264, Visalia, CA 93278
~ Published in Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register f Oct 15, 2014
El Espiritu - 1943
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