Barbara Ann Gessner's Obituary
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 fierce independence, strong will, and generous heart.
Barbara raised her two sons while working full time—a balancing act she managed with a quiet steadiness and dry wit. She supported her boys through their adventures in sports and scouting, among other activities.
Barbara was an active and familiar presence in her neighborhood. She loved riding her bike and taking long walks, often picking up newspapers from the sidewalk and returning them to the correct porches. She looked out for those around her and was always ready with a wave, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture. Her morning ritual of exercising with Richard Simmons was non-negotiable—regardless of where she happened to be.
Professionally, Barbara served in various roles as a civilian employee for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Federal Aviation Administration. She brought a strong work ethic and friendly spirit to every job, making lasting connections everywhere she went. Even after retiring, Barbara rarely sat still. She filled her days with social activities, errands, and clubs like the Red Hat Society and Friends of Heirloom Flowers (Fremont Shinn House). Her son and daughter-in-law eventually gave her a cell phone just to keep track of her between outings.
Barbara had a soft spot for the holidays, especially when it came to making her famous homemade fudge. She prepared generous batches to share at Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings—and always mailed some to loved ones, including her son living on the East Coast. True to form, though, she refused to pay for expedited shipping— proud of her frugal ways!
She never forgot a special occasion. Whether it was a birthday, graduation, or just a reason to celebrate, Barbara made sure a card arrived in the mail—always on time and always signed with love.
A proud cat lover, Barbara made sure her then-cat Rusty was included in the family portrait—because in her eyes, he wasn’t just a pet; he was the third child (and possibly her favorite).
Known for her sweet tooth—Barbara never turned down chocolate, especially if it was a bag of Hershey’s kisses or a box of See’s Candies. Never being far from her reach, she believed chocolate was perfectly acceptable to eat before dinner, as a mid-night snack or even breakfast.
Barbara enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren—Angelika, Ryan, Makai, Brandon, Kimo, and Nikko. Often taking some of them to silent movies in Niles and the Chabot Flea Market.
Barbara is survived by her sons, Michael (Bessie) and Patrick (Kelli); two brothers; two sisters; and her six grandchildren. Her humor, energy, and unwavering presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
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