Barbara J. Pedro

Barbara Jeanne Showalter Pedro, (Mom) peacefully passed away on September 20, one month after her 95th birthday. She was surrounded by loved ones. Mom was born on August 20,1930 in Oakland California. After all her siblings were born, she became the oldest of four daughters! She attended El Cerrito High School where her uncle, Claude Samples, was principal. Mom graduated in January 1948. However, during her high school years, she met and later married a very handsome young man. His name was Ed Pedro. They were married in 1948 in Berkeley, California. Mom held a variety of jobs around the East Bay and in San Francisco. Our parents resided in El Cerrito for a few years, at which time daughters Katherine and Barby were born. In 1953 they moved to Martinez, California and added to the family with the birth of their daughter Jeanne.

Mom is survived by a loving family consisting of three daughters (and her sons-in-law): Katherine Pedro Beardsley (Robert), Barby Pedro Brilliant (Laurence), and Jeanne Pedro White (Monte). Mom was blessed with a large family. Her six grandchildren are Sarah Madsen Closson (Dave), Kara Madsen Merino, Michael Madsen (Leah), Kyle Beardsley (Jessica), Lela White Blizzard (Earl), and Adam White (Kimi). Adding to the growth of her family are her ten great grandchildren. Zachary Closson, Alyssa Closson, Madelyn Closson, Olivia Merino, Andrew Merino, Esther Beardsley, Hazel Beardsley, Josiah Madsen, Azriela Madsen, and Yuna White. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

As a young mom, it wasn’t enough to raise three young girls because she became active in being a leader for multiple children’s groups. First, she was a nursery school co-op parent. Later, as we grew, she became more active and suddenly she was our Blue Bird, Camp Fire, and 4-H leader. One friend said she still has the apron she made in my mom’s Camp Fire group.

She and our dad lived in Martinez for nearly 30 years. They moved from Martinez to Alpine Meadows and resided there for ten years. Then they moved to Greenville for another ten years. And that was when she lost her husband (our dad) and became widowed for 34 years. During Mom’s time in Greenville, she opened her home to foreign exchange students. Thus, it became a cultural journey for her. Mom hosted these young students over a period of under eight years. The students were from Germany, Sweden Japan, Greece, Norway and Moldova. Her life was culturally enriched by each of the students who lived with her. One of the students, Joern, from Germany, kept in contact with Mom until her death. He never forgot her birthday, calling her every year from Germany. He also visited her over the years with his last visit made with his wife just months before Mom passed.

Mom’s final move was to El Dorado Hills where she had resided for more than twenty years. Mom held various paid positions as well. However, her real love was volunteering in the communities she lived in, including: the First Methodist churches in Martinez, Greenville, and Rescue. She also volunteered for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department STAR program. One of her volunteer duties as a STAR volunteer was to help in directing traffic for special events. One day one of the great grandchildren saw this white-haired older woman, dressed in her uniform directing traffic! This couldn’t be his great grandma, could it be?? This caused quite a reaction from the grandchild. He could not believe HIS Great Grandma was directing traffic!! She was in her early late seventies! Another great grandchild had her great grandma come to her preschool and fingerprint all the preschoolers.

Mom gave a lot of her time to the Veterans Affairs by providing transportation for veteran’s medical appointments and procedures and as a concierge at the Veterans Hospital of Sacramento, California. Mom encountered many veterans. She was often moved by their stories of the battles they had fought, and the physical battles they were now dealing with. Her volunteer service with the Veterans closed out her long commitment to volunteering!

Mom is predeceased by her husband, Edmond Clark Pedro, her mother, Ruth Samples Showalter, her father, Charles David Showalter, and her sisters, Joan Showalter Beeson, Darleen Showalter Barba and Ruth Showalter Oldham.

Click this link to view additional details about Barbara's Services,
including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/barbara-pedro-2025