Barbara Jean Sonnenshine

Barbara Sonnenshine passed away at her home on July 23 from complications of ALS. Born to Ingrid and Saxton Bird in 1943, she was raised in Oakland, California and graduated from Oakland Tech High School. College took her to Oregon State, then to San Jose State, where she earned her teaching credential and met the love of her life, David Sonnenshine. The two of them spent their free time camping up and down the coast, until they finally settled in Oroville to raise a family. In 1986, she moved to Santa Cruz County, where she remained happily until her passing.  

Barbara was a teacher, an artist, a traveler, a musician, a cook, an adventurer, a volunteer, a lifelong learner, an archeology enthusiast, an avid reader of mysteries, and certified (by her kids) as the World's Greatest Mom. She sewed one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes, headed up Girl Scout Troops, attended a million soccer games, and threw elaborate birthday parties.  She was a devoted educator, teaching her great passions -- Art and Science -- for over 30 years. She loved her students and raised a menagerie of guinea pigs, turtles, rats and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as classroom pets. She cherished each and every dog she adopted, especially the elder dogs she gave a second home to. She taught art in her grandson's classroom, was a docent at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center (where you could often find her at the touch tank), taught ukulele to many eager students, and performed around town with her band, Hoaloha. She made her first trip to Hawaii as a camp counselor at the age of 20, fell in love with the islands, and returned frequently -- always with her ukulele in hand. She made friends easily and was loved by many. She will be remembered for her kindness, her humor, her generosity, and her curiosity. She will be missed greatly. 

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca, her son, Aaron, her daughter-in-law, Stephanie, her grandson, DJ, her brothers Roger Bird and Jim Bird, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Donations in her honor can be made to the Santa Cruz ASPCA, the ALS Network, and Hospice of Santa Cruz County. A celebration of Barbara's life will be held 11am on Sunday, August 25th at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.