Barbara Semmelmeyer

BARBARA GROFF SEMMELMEYER

1926-2016

Our beloved mother Barbara passed peacefully in her sleep at home, on November 24, 2016 at the age of 90 years old. 

Barbara is survived by her children, Herbert Semmelmeyer III of Rohnert Park, CA, Ann Moskowite (George) of Napa, CA, Mark Semmelmeyer (Elizabeth) of Sunnyvale, CA, Craig Semmelmeyer (Charon) of Lafayette, CA, and Mary Gagliardi (Mark) of Oakland, CA; her five grandchildren, Ryan Semmelmeyer, Mike Semmelmeyer (Nicolette), Madison Moskowite, Jessica Gagliardi, and Andrew Gagliardi; and her great-granddaughter Ava Semmelmeyer.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Semmelmeyer, Jr of Santa Rosa, CA; her parents, Maurice and Elizabeth Cotta of Portland, OR; and her sisters, Elizabeth Fluke of Harrisburg, PA, and Maureen Estey of Portland, OR.

Barbara was born on April 7, 1926 in Portland, OR to Maurice and Elizabeth Cotta.   She grew up in the Alameda neighborhood, riding her bicycle to Beaumont Elementary, playing basketball and badminton at the Multnomah Club and graduating from Grant High School. She went on to attend Oregon State University, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. At Oregon State, Barbara joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where she made many cherished life-long friends.  After graduation, she was employed as a secretary with the Portland Army Corps of Engineers.  In 1951, she met the love of her life, Herb Semmelmeyerat a young adults dance at the Portland First Presbyterian Church.  They were married there that same year after a whirlwind courtship.

With the birth their first child “Herbie”, Barbara changed careers, passionately assuming the full time role as homemaker.  Over 10 years the couple would have five children, Herb’s career in the insurance industry meant relocating first to Sacramento for 7 years and then settling in Santa Rosa for over 50 years.  A devoted wife and mother Barbara loved caring for her family.  She read for hours on end to her children instilling a life long love of literature. In addition to volunteering at church and Alpha Chi Omega, Barbara was always available, to help for her children’s school, scouting and athletic activities. 

Barbara and Herb traveled the world after his retirement, they enjoyed planning and taking multiple trips yearly and visiting all the major continents.   Her favorites were the trips to her ancestral homelands of Germany and Switzerland, where Barbara once even won a yodeling contest.  There were some of the first American visitors to China when it reopened to the west, making three trips there.  It was special for Barbara to return to Canton (today Guangzhou) where her parents had lived in the 1920’s.

Following the death of her husband, Barbara moved to Napa in 2014 to stay close to family. She continued to stay active, enjoying frequent outings using her custom wheelchair van to get out for church, dining out, musical performances, country drives and strolling the Napa Riverfront and shopping.Barbara remained alert and avidly followed current events, reading the Wall Street Journal daily and watching the news.  Even at 90, you could still find her pedaling her stationary bicycle!

Barbara loved hosting family gatherings, and was recently thrilled to be joined by three generations of her family for a special holiday gathering at her home at Aegis of Napa that included much laughter and many smiles as family memories were shared by all.  Barbara passed away peacefully one week later, and will be remembered not just for her loving, kind, and caring nature, but also her determination to overcome any challenge.  A great lady, she will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorial Service is Saturday December 10, 2016, 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1333 Third Street, Napa, with a reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation.  Memories may be shared with the family at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

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