Obituary of Martha Brinan Schwabacher

Born Oct. 16, 1931 in San Francisco,CA.  Died Aug. 12, 2018 in Hollister , CA.  Her parents, William and Jean Brinan ranched and farmed in the southern end of the Salinas Valley. The Brinans have lived in this area since the mid 1800’s.  Marty was the oldest of 6 children (Shirley, Edie, Ruth Ann, Ginger, and Billy) who were raised on the family ranch in San Ardo, CA.

Marty learned to ride horses at an early age and was an accomplished horsewoman,  steer roper, and successfully showed horses in her youth.

Marty graduated from King City High School and attended Fresno City College.

In 1953 she married Jack Schwabacher.  They ran ranches in California and Wyoming.  She raised 3 children (Jackson, Susan, Gordon) while managing an incredibly busy family and ranching life in 2 states. Her family was everything to her.

 She was known as hostess whether it be in a remote cow camp, at the shipping corrals, or a beautiful children’s birthday.  Hosting was a natural extension of her cooking which, delighted the Buena Vista Bridge Club in Hollister and the Stones Bridge Club in Gilroy as well as family and friends from around the world.

Marty and her family moved from Madera, CA to the ranch in Tres Pinos in 1974.  Marty divorced in 1983 and moved to Templeton shortly thereafter.   In 1988 she moved to El Paso, Texas be with her high school sweetheart Stewart Bagby. She lead an international and adventurous life with Stewart. They traveled to cattle ranches in Mexico to buy cattle for the U.S. market. It was one of the best times of her life. Stewart passed in 1998.

Marty returned to Hollister in 2000 to be with her family and to help them to raise her grandchildren.   She was an integral part of her grandkid’s lives.   A tireless grandmother who was always there to help.   She imbued qualities and values upon  her family; self respect, loyalty, thank you notes, reading a good book, taking good care of your animals, dressing well, and making your own bed. 

Her kindnesses have touched so many people. No detail was too small. She left deep tracks and made many lives better.  Marty will be remembered and loved for a long time.

Rememberances in her honor can be sent to the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association Museum and the Community Foundation of San Benito County.

During her lifetime:

-held 4 types of licenses

Driving Lic,

Class A truck drivers’ Lic.

California Real Estate

Private Pilot

Traveled to: (30 countries)

North America

Europe

Asia,

Africa

Australia

                  A private family service will be held at a future date.