Barbara Krebs
Barbara passed away at the age of 90 at Serenity House after suffering a stroke that led to other health issues. She was a loving mother to 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was born in Los Angeles, raised in Oxnard. She attended Santa Clara High School and Mount Saint Mary’s University in LA. She married Karl Krebs and together they had 5 children. After their divorce, Barbara and her children moved to Santa Barbara. She was the switchboard operator at GVCH for several years, later moving on to work in the administrative office at our local Retail Clerks Office. From there she worked at Cottage Hospital in the Radiology Department, ultimately becoming the Office Manager at the new MRI Department. She retired in 1999 and continued on at Cottage as a Volunteer for many years.
During her working life Barbara made many lifelong friends of all ages and backgrounds. She enjoyed hosting gatherings and impressed upon her children that there is no such thing as not enough room at the table! Every Holiday gathering consisted of family, friends, neighbors and those for whatever reason did not have plans.
Barbara enjoyed travel to various countries in Europe, Japan, Jamaica and Mexico. She had eclectic taste in music, from Pavarotti to Tijuana Brass to Willie Nelson. She was very well read, loving anything political and historical biographies. She had a strong social conscience, being acutely aware of world issues and events.
Through all of the hardships and setbacks that life threw her way Barbara was always able to maintain her positive outlook and sense of humor up to her final days. Barbara was preceded in death by her only sibling Douglas Pate and her son Karl C Krebs. She is survived by her children Kim Golden (Jim), Kathryn Krebs, Julie Strohman, Eric Krebs(Haydee), 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
She was very much loved by many and will be greatly missed. A celebration of her life is planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity as they were instrumental in allowing her to live independently in her home until the last 3 months of her life. Many thanks to the hardworking, caring staff at Channel Islands Post Acute and Serenity House during this difficult time.
