Birth date: Jul 23, 1948 Death date: Jun 21, 2025
Barbara Ann Gessner passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, at the age of 76. Born in the East Bay on July 23, 1948, she was the second oldest child of Herbert and Marie Billings. Throughout her life, Barbara was known for her fi Read Obituary
The photo below is from Nancy R.
L to R
Sharon, Nancy, Deb, Maria, Taryn and Sister Barbara
Halloween
I had the pleasure of working with Barbara at the USGS for a number of years. She was just the best! Always there with a good laugh and lots of jokes. To this day if I look at a clock and it’s 2:30 I think of her. (Not a joke you can repeat these days). Like John Nakata I also have a Halloween party memory. We went to a party together in the east bay. I picked her up and she told me they weren’t collecting money to cross the Dumbarton that night. After drinking way too much at the party and dropping her off at her house, I started for the Dumbarton and blew right by the little booth going at least 70 mph dressed as a mad scientist. As I casually turned toward the booth I saw a man inside, expecting to collect my fee, with his mouth agape as I blurred by. I was sure a cop and a DUI ticket would be coming soon but somehow I got lucky. Ok so that was the one time Barbara was wrong! RIP Babs ❤️
Remembering Sister Barbara
We worked together at the US Geological Survey over 50 years ago. We worked hard but had fun too. Halloween was always interesting and sometimes our costumes would not be considered appropriate if worn today.
I remember one year I dressed as a middle eastern sheik with dark glasses and a headscarf “keffiyeh” covering my face. At the elevator a Nun with habit carrying a “baby nun” jumps in with a veil covering her face. No words were exchanged, but she blessed me and jumped out as the doors opened ……I didn’t find out till later that it was our own Resident Nun, Sister Barbara Gessner
John Nakata
For over thirty years, Barbara filled our lives with grace, laughter, and a boundless generosity that never wavered. She never missed a birthday or holiday, not just for Mike—but for my boys and me too. Her phone calls often came to me more than Mike, because she claimed he told her what she needed to know while I told her what was really going on.
Though distance sometimes separated us, it never kept her heart away. On her many visits to the East Coast, she embraced every moment with our family. One unforgettable time, Mike and I were away at a conference, and Barbara stayed with the boys. When we returned, Ryan greeted us with, “Grandma tried to kill us!” Turns out she had tripped while crossing the street, pulling all three of them down just as a car was turning. It was terrifying in the moment—and became one of those legendary family stories we tell with laughter and disbelief.
Then there was the “Law & Order” incident. Soon after Barbara went home, Brandon was caught searching for “girls tied up” on his iPad. I called Barbara instantly, and we cracked up when we realized he had picked up that phrase from the dialogue on her favorite show—Law & Order: SVU. Barbara was a woman of edge and charm, and she made everyday moments unforgettable.
She adored chocolate, so we honored her tonight with a slice of Hershey’s chocolate bar cheesecake. It was rich, sweet, and indulgent—just like the love she shared. If she were here, she’d dive in and not worried about the calories.
Barbara leaves behind stories, laughter, and the kind of love that never fades. She was more than a mother and a grandmother. She was a treasure, and we will miss her dearly.
For over thirty years, Barbara filled our lives with grace, laughter, and a boundless generosity that never wavered. She never missed a birthday or holiday, not just for Mike—but for my boys and me too. Her phone calls often came to me more than Mike, because she claimed he told her what she needed to know, while I gave her stories and told her what was really going on.
Though distance sometimes separated us, it never kept her heart away. On her many visits to the East Coast, she embraced every moment with our family. One unforgettable time, Mike and I were away at a conference, and Barbara stayed with the boys. When we returned, Ryan greeted us with, “Grandma tried to kill us!” Turns out she had tripped while crossing the street, pulling all three of them down just as a car was turning. It was terrifying in the moment—and became one of those legendary family stories we tell with laughter and disbelief.
Then there was the “Law & Order” incident. Soon after Barbara went home, Brandon was caught searching for “girls tied up” on his iPad. I called Barbara instantly, and we cracked up when we realized he had picked up that phrase from the dialogue on her favorite show—Law & Order: SVU. Barbara was a woman of edge and charm, and she made everyday moments unforgettable.
She adored chocolate, so we honored her tonight with a slice of Hershey’s chocolate bar cheesecake. It was rich, sweet, and indulgent—just like the love she shared. If she were here, she’d dive right into the dessert and not worry about the calories.
Barbara leaves behind stories, laughter, and the kind of love that never fades. She was more than a mother and grandmother. She was a treasure, and we will miss her dearly.
From 1986 to 1990 or thereabouts, I was Associate Chief of the Regional Geology branch at then 275 Middlefield Road (this group is GMEG today at USGS at Moffett Field). Babs was the Administrative Officer. We worked on budgets together for several years, and her wit and wisdom made the entire process tolerable. Great memories of a fine lady! -- John Tinsley
