Obituary of Kathy A. Barnes

Kathleen (Kathy) passed away at her home on August 23, 2017. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Dolores Barnes of Hollister, CA. Her brother Charles Barnes of Waco TX, brother Royal Barnes of Hollister CA, niece Christine Ann Barnes Acosta of Hollister, CA.

Kathy is survived by her daughter Connie Barnes, son Marcus Gaeta and four grandchildren Eleanor and Royal Barnes-Young, Samantha and Isabella Gaeta all of Hollister, CA.  Survivors also include her siblings Nelda (Jose) Saucedo of Waco TX, Nola (Jack) Honeycutt of Columbia Ten, brother Richard (Myra) Barnes of Malin OR, brother Kenneth (Bernice) Barnes, Gary (Bonnie) Barnes and sister Diane Barnes all of Hollister, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kathy was a lover of life, family and friends. As a young girl Kathy worked long hard hours alongside her family on the family farm.  She picked prunes, walnuts, cut apricots whatever needed to be done, she did, sometimes that meant churning butter; one of the things she didn’t like doing.  When she wasn’t needed on the farm she was in the kitchen helping her mother prepare family meals while laying the foundation for what would become her life’s passion…. making people smile with a good ole’, “home cooked meal”. Kathy loved to cook for her family and friends, she honed her cooking skills working alongside her mother and sister in the several family owned restaurants in the Hollister area the first being the famed Pacheco Pass Diner. Kathy not only learned to cook while working in the family owned restaurants she could always befriend people with her enchanting smile. Kathy never met a stranger…a trait that became a part of who she was for the rest of her life.  Kathy was always there when family or friends were in need. What was hers, was yours. If you needed a place to stay, her home was open. If you were hungry she always had something to eat, or she’d fix you something. If you needed to talk she would listen. If you needed a friend, she would be there for you, with a smile on her face. 

Kathy could be Kathy too, if you got on the wrong side of her she’d let you know really quick how she felt, she wasn’t one to mince words, but, that was the Kathy we all loved.

As time passed and her mother retired, Kathy moved on as well.  She was always good with numbers and eventually became a book keeper for several businesses in the Hollister, Gilroy area a career she continued for many years while raising her family.

In retirement Kathy got to reap the rewards of the hard work of raising her two kids mostly by herself…. she became a “gramma”.  She loved being gramma, “her babies” came first.  Everyone knew you didn’t dare get in between her and her babies, if you did you would meet the, “other” Kathy. She loved puttering in her garden, raising birds, traveling with family and being with her friends. And we all know by the end of the night her favorite thing to do was to wind down, get comfy in bed and catch up on all her shows.

Kathy was simply a fun loving good person, with a beguiling smile.  One of those individuals that made you feel good because she was your friend.  She will be sorely missed, her family especially will miss her warm smile, her quick wit, her sassy mouth, her companionship. She was a great mother, a fantastic sister and the ultimate Gramma!!!  There are no words that can describe how much she was loved by her family. Our father God, missed her as well and took her home on the wings of angels, now heaven is a happier place.

In the true spirit of our beloved Kathy, a memorial and celebration of life service will be held September 30, 2017 at the Barnes Ranch, 251 Barnes Lane Hollister, CA. (time to be determined)