Barbara Jean (Carriger) Bambula Cordell

Barbara Jean Carriger Bambula Cordell passed away February 21, 2022 in her home in Napa, CA with family beside her, shortly after her 77th birthday.

Barbara was born in Oakland, CA on February 17, 1945 to her parents Gerald Emerson Carriger and Dianne May McHugh family of (5) Barbara, Raymond, Wayne, Brenda and Bobby Carriger. The family moved to Richmond, CA where she went to Portola Jr. High School, then moved to Sacramento where she attended Sacramento High School. She was a second mom to her siblings, helping with cooking a cleaning while her mother worked.

Barbara met Johnny Robert Bambula and eloped at the age of 17. She then had Ronnie, Donna, Linda and Jerry Bambula. Barbara went to work for the County of Sacramento for 25 years. She met her second husband, Bobby Cordell, they were married for 32 years. Bobby passed away in 2013.

Barbara was diagnosed with frontotemporal/dementia sometime in 2014. She moved into and adult senior living and then to Orangevale Assisted Living.

Barbara moved in with her son Ron and wife Eileen Bambula as of March 2019. Barbara enjoyed Napa City Nights downtown, listening to concerts on Friday nights and having a glass of wine. She also went to Kennedy Golf Course to listen to local bands play music while having dinner with friends and family.

Barbara enjoyed cruising on the Pontoon boat wearing her big hats and sunglasses to keep the sun out of her beautiful blue eyes. Barbara enjoyed our family lake house on the water, watching fish, pelicans, cranes, herons, mallards, river otters and turtles swimming and others from our back patio deck overlooking the water as a family friend played the harmonica or violin. She was always full of smiles and laughed a lot.

Barbara enjoyed going to the Fathers House and Community Crosswalk for church and loved singing. During Covid times she listened to Joel Olsteen. I would like to add Barbara’s last month of enjoyment with her four children was sleep overs at our family lake house sharing many stories of her kids childhood and her motherhood adventures.

Barbara’s hobbies were gardening, crocheting, board games, reading, sewing, having dinners and playing cards with family and friends. She enjoyed dressing up and going out and always looking good. She never forgot occasions and had a card to send for any occasion. She liked playing pranks and having water fights and bringing the water hose in the house.

She will be missed by all family and friends. We will forever keep her memories alive and in our hearts.

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