Barbara Gay Groberg passed away peacefully on March 17, 2020, after a short but valiant fight with congestive heart failure and kidney failure. She only recently discovered how serious her health problems were.
Barbara was born October 22, 1932, in Brokenbow, Oklahoma, and lived in New York, Texas, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, before moving to Chicago when she was 17. She lived in California from 1953 until 1992 when they moved to Florida, and she lived in Summerfield for 20 years.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Karen McKeon (son-in-law Steven), Linda Groberg, and her loving grandchildren, Matthew and Kevin. She was predeceased by her husband Dick; daughter Gayle; parents, Thomas and Cora Lee; sister, Evelyn; and brothers, Tommy, Paul and Dallas.
It would be no surprise to those that knew Barbara, that her high school yearbook credits her with “talking most, saying least.” She attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL and worked for Patricia Vance modeling studio in Peoria, and then Chicago, where she met Dick. They were married for 65 years. They both loved to golf and were in charge of tournaments for Pacific Seniors Golf Association for many years. Barbara worked part time when the children were small, and later worked as an Executive Secretary at Hewlett Packard. Barbara was an excellent cook, avid bridge player, enjoyed golf and loved reading and watching sports. She always hand scored the baseball games, and looked forward to Super Bowl parties in the Keys. She played bridge five days a week up until the time she was hospitalized in January, following an extended vacation. After Dick died in 2016, she refused to move to California or the Keys because she had so many dear friends and loved the friends she met through bridge or in her neighborhood.
On March 5, she moved into Mission Oaks Assisted Living and enjoyed the first weekend there with her daughters decorating her new apartment and enjoying the facility. She worked hard to get better, but she just couldn’t do it. In the 12 days she was there she amassed $9400 (in “funny money”) playing Bingo.
Barbara will always be remembered for her sense of humor, quick wit and direct manner. Throughout her hospitalizations she was sweet and kind and knew the names of those who cared for her, and would make staff laugh at things she said or jokes she told. She was ready to go, and looked forward to seeing Dick and Gayle and so many others who predeceased her.
The family would like to thank some of her neighbors and friends for always caring for her-as well as Mission Oaks for the sense of community/family and Vitas Hospice for making her final day pain free.
Due to the current pandemic — no services are planned at this time. When services and ceremonies are planned in her memory, we’ll post the dates & times here.
A good, long-time friend. She will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She lived an active life up until the end. What a great memory going on a cruise with her daughter. She was so fortunate to have two loving and present daughters. She was a great woman who I know will be missed terribly.
I have smiles when I think of your mom. She was a hoot. I’ll always remember our times together. I’m very sorry for your loss. She had a great life and leaves behind a legacy
Linda. I know she will be missed. We have always admired you for the love you had for your mom. We know b you loved her very much and had such get VM times with her. You are about b family. May she Rest In Peace.
Linda. I know she will be missed. We have always admired you for the love you had for your mom. We know you loved her very much and had such get times with her. You are all about family. May she Rest In Peace.
I’m so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I had such fun with her when she & Dick came to Ventura to visit Linda. God bless her and keep her.
Sweet woman, strong, active.
I accompany you in your loss and wish you strength!
Dear Linda, Please accept my heartfelt condolences. You are such a devoted daughter. Love you.
I can hear her laugh now. We had so many fun times and I will miss her, just as I miss your Dad and Cora Lee. Special people of “the greatest generation”. I hope our parents are dancing to a Big Band melody right now.
my condolences to you and your sister and family. it was so good that you went on the cruise with your mom, just. before her passing, and that both of you were there on her last days!. love you,
I was saddened to see Barbara’s Obituary notice in the Sun.
I played Bridge with Barbara for many years and always enjoyed her company.
She is always in my heart
Susan
Barbara was one of a kind and will be sadly missed. I played bridge with her on Tuesday nights and Julie on Thursday nights and enjoyed her special smile and humor. Our condolences to her family.