Grace Barrera

06/12/1913 – 03/25/2011

Surrounded by family members, Grace Barrera, passed away on March 25th at the age of 97. She was born June 12, 1913, in Montecito to Charles and Edith Ruiz Graham. She was a descendant of Jose Francisco Ortega the first Commandante of the Santa Barbara Presidio. Grace was raised in Montecito on the San Ysidro Ranch. Her grandfather, Jose del Carmen Ruiz and subsequently her father were employed at the ranch. Her education began in the Montecito Union School and continued in Santa Barbara. Grace was an avid tennis player in both grammar school and in junior high school. She loved performing in school plays. Her love of horseback riding began when her family was still living on the San Ysidro ranch.

Her first husband, Peter Cordero passed away when he was 28 years old leaving her a widow with one son – Jim. For 15 years she supported her little family, working in the lemon packing house and later doing domestic work. She met and married her second husband Arthur Barrera with whom they had a daughter – Donna. They were married for 32 years until Art died in 1980.

Grace loved to dance and in her youth, she and her brother Richard and sister Josephine used to go to various venues in Santa Barbara to dance. She and Art continued to dance throughout their years of marriage. Among her favorite things were celebrating Fiesta (Pascual’s was a must), trips to Las Vegas, gardening, board games, crossword puzzles and most especially family gatherings

Grace was preceded in death by her twin infant son, Jack, brothers: Richard Graham, Edward Moreno, Howard Moreno; sisters: Josephine Trotter and Rose Ballesteros. She is survived by son James Cordero, Sr., daughter, Donna Sheppard (Jack), 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren; sisters, Marie Trancoso (Joe) and Edna Nephew and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

We wish to thank great granddaughter, Monique Cordero and Ann for helping with our Mother’s care. We wish to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to Hospice and Visiting Nurses for their able assistance. We ask that donations be sent to either Hospice of Santa Barbara or to The Visiting Nurses Association.

Services will be held at 10:00 am, on Saturday, April 2, at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church.