Barbara Sue Schmidt

Barbara Sue Schmidt, née Levine, was born on April 16, 1945, married the love of her life, Stephen Craig Schmidt on November 12, 1973, and died at home in Santa Barbara on May 5, 2016. She was an outlier to the end, living almost 14 months after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. In those months she traveled, spent time with family, played tennis, read novels, and generally enjoyed many of her favorite things.

A recently retired computer programmer, Barbara’s career spanned Burroughs and the Bay Area, New York, Michigan, England and California. Most recently she enjoyed working at Yardi Systems in Santa Barbara. Sailing and sunset watching were lifelong joys. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Schmidt, daughter, Michelle Howard, granddaughter, Adrienne Howard, Carol and Marty Levin and their daughter, Danielle (sister, brother-in-law, and niece).

Barbara had a habit of experiencing good things, be they sunsets, glasses of champagne, or amazing meals, as the “best ever.” She possessed an authentic capacity to be fully present in the moment and find great joy in life’s pleasures.

The family invites you to celebrate Barbara’s life with a champagne toast over the next sunset you see.