Barbara Jean Buchan

Barbara passed away peacefully in Walnut Creek, CA on November 11, 2019 with her daughter, Kathleen, at her side at the age of 90. Barbara was born on November 10, 1929 in Alameda, CA. After living her early life in the Bay Area, including childhood summers in the redwoods, she was drawn to the great outdoors and settled amongst the redwoods in Guerneville, CA. Barbara had a great love of the outdoors, spending much of her life living in Guerneville, nestled in the heart of the redwoods and near the ocean. Adventurous and independent, but always thoughtful to meeting the needs of others, Barbara gave over 25 years of service to her Council on Aging Community as a volunteer driver, delivering meals on wheels. She loved the camaraderie with her fellow volunteers, sharing laughs, tears, making new friends, helping others and helping herself along the way. When asked what motivated her for so long, she modestly replied, “It does give me good inner feelings after each delivery, usually having received a thank you or big smile from each of these people. I really enjoy it and hope I don’t have to give it up in the near future.” When not delivering meals, she worked on various other assignments at the Russian River Senior Center. Barbara volunteered into her early 80’s. When not volunteering, Barbara loved to spend time with her family, travel, shop, walk the beach at Jenner and Goat Rock, and hike the Redwoods. She particularly liked Armstrong Redwood State Park where a picnic with cheese, crackers and a glass of Merlot were always enjoyed in the great outdoors. Her love of the outdoors took her on many camping trips with family. With a love of gardening, she was always surrounded by a variety of beautiful flowers, including placing flowers at the Senior Center for all to enjoy. Barbara is survived by her three children: Kathleen, (Larkin), Brian, (Janie), and Michael, (Victoria), 9 grandchildren: Tim, Jon, Erik, Shawn, Kyle, Jamie, Kacey, Ryan, Kevin, and 10 great grandchildren: Maya, Skylar, Hayden, Chase, Calin, Hudson, Alanna, Avery, Ainsley, and Adalynn. She was preceded in death by her mother Helen Manning, and will now rest by her side. Family and friends are invited to join in a memorial service on Tuesday November 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Redwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 14125 Woodland Drive, Guerneville, CA. Donations may be made in her name to the Russian River Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446. Flowers can be delivered by end of day Monday November 18, 2019 to Pleasant Hills Memorial Park at 1700 Pleasant Hills Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472.

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