Barbara Corl Wainwright

Barbara Anne Corl was born on the Fourth of July, 1929 to James Albert and Florence Corl in Los Angeles, CA. Her father died when she was 11 months old, so Florence, along with Barbara, moved back in with her parents, Justie and Harriet Carter. For years, Barbara lived in a quiet household, headed up by her grandparents. She became very close to them. For entertainment and news they listened to the radio. They read books and worked jigsaw puzzles – practices which continued throughout her life. Barbara also experienced city life: riding the streetcar to school, attending symphony concerts, going to USC football games, and watching the Rose parade in person. Barbara always loved music. She studied the piano and during her teenage years served as an organist at the Christian Science church her mother attended. Barbara’s mother remarried in 1941, but life took a big turn for Barbara in 1945, when her step-father moved the family to an almond ranch just outside of Chico, CA. Barbara graduated from Chico High in 1947, and went on to complete two years at Chico State College.

One day, after WWII was over, Barbara was working in her parents’ soda fountain & candy store, when John Wainwright, fresh out of the navy, walked in and noticed the girl who was whistling while she worked. John and Barbara were married in June, 1949, and Barbara, raised as only child in a quiet household, joined the large boisterous Wainwright clan. From then on, her life revolved around home and family, church and community.

Soon, children started making appearances. Carol Anne and Janet Louise were born in Chico. In 1955, John and Barbara and the girls moved, along with John’s brother Dick, and his family, to Merced, where the two brothers joined the real estate business established by their brother Bill. In Merced, Barbara had three more children: Joan Marie (1957-1962), Diane Elaine, and David John.

During the first few years in Merced, the Wainwright clan gathered often - at Lake Yosemite for picnic dinners in the summer, and for birthday and holiday celebrations. Barbara was busy on the home front, keeping everything going. She wasn’t especially fond of cooking, but she did a lot of it. She sewed matching outfits for her daughters. In the midst of all the activity of family life, Barbara also needed time alone and found it in the simple pleasures of reading the newspaper and doing the crossword over a cup of coffee after the kids had gone to school. Gardening was a time of retreat for her; she loved her irises. When her daughter Joanie was fighting cancer, Barbara was the steadying influence in the family.

Soon after arriving in Merced, John and Barbara became active members of Central Presbyterian Church, where Barbara came to a faith she could call her own, a daily walk with Jesus, who she trusted as Lord and Savior. For years, she was a small group co-leader in the Woman to Woman Bible Study, and was active in many other aspects of life at CPC. As her family grew up, Barbara became more involved alongside John at community outreach ministries such as the Salvation Army, including the “Helping Hands at Christmas” program and the Thursday morning crew serving pancake breakfasts at Operation Share.

John and Barbara loved travelling with friends and family. Many of their trips centered around golf tournaments, and in her forties, Barbara learned to play golf so she wouldn’t be left out! She was also a history buff and loved to explore new places, see the sights, and meet people from around the world. Scrapbooking became one of her favorite pastimes, to make a record of their journeys, as well as the events of family life.

Barbara did not seek to be at the center of the action - she left that role to John. She liked being on the sidelines, a gracious hostess, working behind the scene to make everyone feel welcome. She blessed many with her smile, thoughtful conversation, easy laugh, and positive outlook. She preferred to focus the attention on others, not herself, and was glad to pitch in and help when there was a need. She was an encourager, known for the thoughtful notes she wrote to friends and family.

When John, her husband of 62 years, passed in 2011, Barbara chose to be grateful for all the blessings of their years together and to look forward. She was able to fill in for John on the boards of several ministries, and even did some travelling with her children over the next few years. Her last years were slowed down by a broken hip, the isolation of Covid, and dementia, but nonetheless, the high point of her week was worship at CPC. The family is grateful for the many individuals who lovingly cared for Barbara at home, and more recently at Cogir Memory Care. Her final weeks there were joyful ones, and following a stroke, she passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024. She was beloved by her family, as well as many others whose lives she touched. She will be missed.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her daughter, Joan Marie. She is survived by her children Carol Andersen (David) of Seattle, WA; Janet Wainwright of Merced; Diane Craig (Bob) of Merced; and David Moon-Wainwright (Natalie) of Lakeport, CA; and 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 20th and Canal Streets, Merced, CA, followed immediately by a reception across the street at the Hoffmeister Center.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Barbara’s name may be made to the Central Presbyterian Church, to the Salvation Army or to a charity of your choice.