BARBBARA NATHAN's Obituary
Please join the Nathan Family to help us celebrate an exemplary life.In sadness we announce the passing of Barbara J Nathan, 91 Barbara J Nathan peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 5, 2018. Barbara was a 3rd generation Californian born on October 18, 1926, in Visalia CA. She is preceded in death by her husband Melvin, parents Arthur and Teresa, brother Myron, and sisters Betty and Peggy. She is survived by two sons and their wives, Matthew and Leslie Nathan, Michael and Tara Nathan, and grandsons Trevor and Cody Nathan, Cody’s fiancée, Lauren Richards and Barbara’s soon to be granddaughter Riley Elizabeth Nathan.Her young life was spent with her extended family in Visalia CA. When she was 13, the family moved north first to Oakland, and finally settled in Redwood City. WWII forced many teenagers intoadult roles, and Barbara grew up fast working as a hostess at the popular Nippa Hut restaurant in Redwood City. At an early age she became self-sufficient and developed a love for Ford Convertibles, buying the first of several at the age of 14. She attended Sequoia High School, where her artistic side flourished through ceramics and leathercraft. She spent her late teens helping her sisters raise her three nieces, and became known by them as the “Glamourous Aunt”. In the 1950’s, Barbara earned a Dental Nursing certification and began a career as a chairside assistant.She met her husband Melvin in 1956, and they were soon married. The honeymoon was short lived as Barbara was diagnosed with melanoma and spent the first two years of newlywed life in and out of the hospital and in rehabilitation; she remained cancer free for life. After her recovery, she and Melvin relocated across the bay in Newark and began raising their sons Matthew and Michael. After her second son was born, Barbara retired from nursing to focus on the role of homemaker. While taking care of the home she continued to pursue artistic talents in flower arranging, oil painting, and cake decorating being recognized at local competitions, and was often contracted to create wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes.She and Melvin enjoyed their retirement traveling to places like Hawaii, The Caribbean, Alaska, and National Parks. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandsons, attending school activities and their baseball, basketball, football, and soccer sporting events. She and Melvin often took the boys and their friends on weekend fishing trips. She gave of herself, volunteering with a group of lifelong friends called the Birthday Club, in her church as deacon supporting the Christian Women’s Organization, and later the Red Hat Ladies. Late in her life, Barbara thrived through participating in weekly aqua aerobics, decorative painting classes and was regular at Newark Senior Center Bingo for over 20 years.Viewing, Funeral, and Entombment located at the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward 32992 Mission Blvd. Public Viewing, Monday, March 12, from 5-8:30 pm: Funeral, Tuesday March 13, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, with Entombment following at 1:00 pm.Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) and American Cancer Society (cancer.org), along with flowers and online condolences to www.chapleofthechimeshayward.com.
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