Barbara Cone

July 19, 1931 - September 9, 2020

Barbara Cerri Cone (July 19, 1931 – September 9, 2020). Our mom lived a full and inspiring life. She loved holding family gatherings and encouraging the achievements of her four children and nine grandchildren. She was also blessed with three great grandchildren. Barbara loved traveling throughout California to watch and cheer her children and grandchildren as they played sports, danced ballet, or acted in plays. She also just enjoyed traveling, exploring new places, and meeting people. Barbara visited over 30 states and at least 15 countries. She drove a 28 foot RV to and through Alaska; she collected seashells on the beaches of California, Florida, and Hawaii; she went to Australia and New Zealand with her sister-in-law; she returned to Italy on a trip with the Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento and rented a car so she could drive to all the villages in Tuscany to see the birthplaces of her parents, aunts, and uncles; she traveled to Ireland, Greece, Puerto Rico, Tahiti, Puerto Vallarta, and Canada with friends. On a tour of seven countries in Europe, she broke her leg while hiking in the Alps. When a walking cast was put on in Paris, she wore it down before returning to California. Barbara loved to be around people and helping others. She lived an active life filled with work she loved at the California Department of Justice, Volksmarches with the Sutter Strutters, volunteering and being president for two years at Assistance League of Sacramento (she especially enjoyed being part of the Eyes Right program and working with the school kids). She loved the Jazz Festival and spent many years going to it with friends and volunteering. Another thing she loved was baking cookies for others, especially her famous biscotti. The recipe is a family secret shared only with her grandchildren and niece. She also shared her love of crocheting and knitting with her grandchildren, most of whom have an original Barbara creation. She loved musicals, especially Phantom of the Opera, and thoroughly loved returning to her birthplace of San Francisco to attend the theater and to visit her old neighborhood on Union Street. When possible, she would make sure to attend the reunions at St. Brigid’s High School. She also was a longtime subscriber to the Music Circus and Chautauqua Playhouse in Sacramento. Each year she went to the horse races with Sports Leisure and loved taking pictures with the horses and jockeys. Barbara loved animals and had several dogs and cats through her many years in the home she loved by the American River. Barbara had a can-do attitude and a ready smile for everyone. If something did get her down, she would bounce back with an optimistic quip soon after. Even though the Alzheimer’s disease was cruel and took away so much of her ability to socialize and be active, she never lost her smile. Barbara died peacefully in her sleep in the home she loved and left this world on her own terms. She is survived by her older sister, Jean. She will be dearly missed by her children and their spouses– Norm, Ron, Christine, Trish, Kirk, Rob and Joni; her grandchildren – Tyler, Brianna, Westley, Cydney, Logan, Chiara, Kyra, Kimberly, and Rory; her great grandchildren – Alexandra, Brent, and Weyland; and her extended family and friends. If you are inclined to donate, please give to Canine Companions for Independence, Assistance League of Sacramento, or Alzheimer’s Association.