Barbara Jo Boudreaux

Barbara was born in Fresno, CA, and her family resettled in the northern part of the state shortly afterward. She graduated from Hayward High School in 1940 with Life Membership in the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society. Having had a passion for writing from childhood, she was a natural at writing advertising copy for the SF Examiner after graduation.

During this time, she met a young aeronautics student from Louisiana. In February, 1943, Barbara traveled to Lubbock, TX, to see USAF First Lt. Ory Boudreaux commissioned and receive his wings. They were married the next day, after which the newlyweds traveled by train to his next assignment and six more months of flight training. Barbara was pregnant with their first child when Ory, with a new plane and a crew of five, departed for N. Africa. He was a highly decorated officer who flew 72 combat missions in WWII and flew many air rescue missions as a MASH helicopter pilot in Korea.

Upon Col. Boudreaux’s retirement in 1963, the family settled in California, where Barbara joined the staff of the Sacramento Symphony Association. She remained there for eighteen years, the last nine as General Manager. In addition, she tirelessly served on the boards of numerous symphony, arts, and advisory councils, often in executive positions. Barbara had a life-long passion for classical music and this period of her life was immensely fulfilling.

Barbara was an artist and a published novelist. She was witty and a little bit mischievous. She was a devout news junkie who could happily debate almost any topic. In 1999, at the age of 76, Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from Regents College in New York.

Barbara left us peacefully on December 17 at age 88 after a brief illness. She is survived by daughters Cheryl Abbott, Nancy Boudreaux, and Ellen Boudreaux; grandchildren Shannon Tillett and Jason Hunt, and great- grandsons Cole and Shane Tillett, who will all miss her tremendously.