Obituary of Barbara Negro Walker

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday in Capitola for Barbara Negro Walker who passed away peacefully at Dominican Hospital on January 30, 2014 with her loving family at her bedside. Born in Fresno, California, she was 85 years old. Barbara moved to Santa Cruz in 1944. She graduated from Santa Cruz High School, and met her husband to be of 31 years Ernest J. Negro who preceded her in death in 1977. Barbara worked in the office of the Negro Family's "Valley View Dairy" for many years before working at Soquel Elementary School in Food and Nutrition Services. Marrying into the Negro family also saw Barbara performing duties as a dispatcher for the Soquel Volunteer Fire Department. She generously volunteered her time with the Dominican Hospital Auxiliary, and later was employed by Dominican Hospital in Food and Dietary Services. Barbara was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Capitola, and a charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation. She also enjoyed attending functions of the Soquel Pioneers. Barbara enjoyed fishing and camping trips to Caples Lake in the High Sierras with family and friends. Barbara married her longtime partner, Larry Walker in 2004, and they enjoyed a beautiful life together traveling extensively on numerous cruises and road trips. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law: Leonard and Susan Negro of Santa Cruz, Steven and Diane Negro of Paso Robles, Wayne and Susan Negro of Scotts Valley; her daughter, Teresa Rose of Soquel, her step daughter, Sharon Shaw of San Jose, and her step son and his wife, Ken and Pam Walker of Escondido. Barbara also leaves her beloved grandchildren: Scott (Nancy), Nikole, Lindsey (Steffan) Derek, Kevin (Kristy), Brandon (Sabrina), Dana and Kendra. She also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and host of loving extended family and dear friends. Friends may pay their respects on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 7th at St. Joseph's Church (435 Monterey Ave.) in Capitola, beginning at 11 a.m. Private interment will be at the Holy Cross Mausoleum in Santa Cruz, immediately following the mass. Any kind acts of charity can be made in Barbara's memory to the Scleroderma Foundation or the American Heart Association. To light a candle for Barbara and share your thoughts and prayers, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com