Barbara Haskell Cadwalader

July 28, 1927 to November 8, 2018

Barbara died peacefully at her family home in Oakland on November 8, 2018. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, A. Burns Cadwalader, her parents Broderick and Frances Haskell and brother Broderick Haskell Jr. She was beloved mother to daughters Lisa and Lynn Cadwalader, daughter and son-in-law Sara and Tim Windsor, “Nana” to grandchildren Jason (Amie) and Brian Windsor and Zhanna and Alma Cadwalader, and great-granddaughters Merriwether and Trudie Windsor.

Barbara Frances Haskell was born in Tacoma, Washington, on July 28, 1927 to parents Broderick and Frances Haskell. The Haskell’s moved to Vashon Island, Washington, and later to Redding, California following her father’s work. Barbara had many wonderful memories of her years on Vashon, as well as growing up with her brother Brod in Redding during the Great Depression and World War II years. She shared stories of the transient “hobos” traveling the railroads during the Depression who would frequently come to the back door of their Redding home for food, as well as during the war when she worked as a nurse’s aide in a local hospital – experiences that helped shape the caring, nurturing woman Barbara became.

As a young adult, Barbara moved to the Bay Area, where she studied Sociology at UC Berkeley, working several different jobs during those years. She met her future husband and the love of her life, Burns Cadwalader, at Bank of America in Redding where she worked during summers as a teller. Burns and Barbara’s first date was at The Cliff House in San Francisco, followed by a whirlwind romance, culminating with a proposal at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco, a favorite spot of theirs.

Barbara and Burns were married by Barbara’s hometown Episcopal Minister in 1952 at Trinity Methodist Chapel in Berkeley, with a reception following at the Claremont Hotel. Daughter Lisa was born in 1954, and when Lynn arrived in 1956, the family moved from their quaint apartment in the Berkeley hills to their Oakland home, welcoming daughter, Sara, four years later. Burns and Barbara lived out their lives in their beloved Oakland home, where they became fast friends with neighbors and their families.

Barbara cherished her role as a mother, and the Cadwalader home and back yard became a gathering place for all the neighborhood children. Barbara’s children and those of their longtime neighbors have treasured memories of family get-togethers, including an annual neighborhood Christmas celebration, caroling up and down local streets, and long summer days, ending only with Barbara’s ringing of the ‘dinner bell’ to signal it was time for everyone to head home.

When Oakland experienced challenges during the tumultuous times of the 60s and 70s, Barbara and Burns, who loved the rich diversity of Oakland, decided to stay, becoming fully engaged in the larger Oakland community, and in the public schools their children attended. Once her daughters were all in school, Barbara returned to UC Berkeley, completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 1969. Barbara was an active volunteer at her daughters’ schools; these school experiences led her to change her educational focus to teaching children with learning disabilities. She received her Reading Specialist Certificate from Holy Names College in 1974, followed by a Master of Education in 1977. Barbara was a gifted and loving teacher, using multiple modalities of teaching to help children discover the joy of learning and reach their full potential. She spent 13 years teaching at Raskob Learning Institute in Oakland, and finished her teaching career as a Resource Specialist at Washington Elementary School in San Leandro, CA. Barbara retired from teaching in 1993, although she continued to be active in DKG, a professional organization of female educators, and tutor in Oakland elementary schools.

In her retirement years, Barbara continued her adventures with husband Burns, traveling domestically on “roots” trips to Colorado for Burns and Tacoma and Vashon Island for Barbara, as well as taking an anniversary train trip to Banff. Barbara and Burns toured Europe when Burns retired, and later returned to favorite spots in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Barbara and Burns had a deep love of the environment and the outdoors. Her children have cherished memories of their many years of camping and backpacking, most often in and around Yosemite National Park. Barbara was the organizer of many Cadwalader family adventures, including trips to Inverness, Carmel and Bear Valley, car camping to British Columbia and a family gathering in the San Juan Islands. Barbara and Burns discovered Sea Ranch in the 1960s, a favorite spot to spend summer weeks and Thanksgiving, and where daughter Sara now lives; the “Sea Ranch Thanksgiving” tradition continues to date with Barbara’s children and their families.

Barbara cherished her time with her grandchildren, and in more recent years, her two great-grandchildren, Merriwether and Trudie. Nana’s house was a second home to grandchildren Jason and Brian Windsor, who have wonderful memories of reading, crafts, trips and play time with Nana and Papa. When granddaughters Zhanna and Alma arrived, Nana welcomed them with open arms, spending lots of time reading in the “big chair” and playing games. Barbara and Burns were devoted members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, where they served in various roles over the years. Barbara was especially active in two ministries: as Wedding Coordinator she loved the process of helping engaged couples plan and organize their wedding day; Barbara also started the church’s ‘Casserole Brigade’ which brought hot meals to church members during difficult times, a ministry she led for 12 years and which continues to this day. Daughter Lisa moved to Oakland in 2009, living with Barbara in their Oakland family home, which allowed Barbara to stay at home for the remainder of her years. In Barbara’s later years, Lisa was her devoted and loving companion and caregiver.

Barbara and Burns’ lives and 50 years of marriage provided a shining example of the values of love, family, commitment, and respect, and were admired by all who knew them.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakland on February 23, 1019 at 1:00pm. Donations in Barbara’s name may be made to Save the Bay (https://savesfbay.org), The East Bay Childrens Book Project (https://www.eastbaychildrensbookproject. org), or St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1707 Gouldin Road, Oakland, CA 94611 (http:// www.stjohnsoakland.org). “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.”