Barbara Kaita Shingai
Obituary
Barbara Kaita Shingai passed away peacefully at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California on May 25, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was 71. She was born in Fresno, California on January 12, 1953 and had four older sisters and a twin brother.
Barbara graduated from Watsonville High School (1971), CSU Fresno (1975) for her Bachelors degree, and the University of San Francisco (1991) for her Masters degree.
Barbara worked for 25 years at Watsonville Community Hospital as a Human Resources Administrator and 13 years at Cabrillo Community College as Assistant Director of Human Resources.
In 1977, Barbara married Robert (Bob) Shingai, sharing 47 wonderful years together. They had a daughter, Stephanie, in 1979 and a son, Matthew, in 1984.
Barbara was known as a doer; if you wanted something done, everyone knew she would help take care of it. She was actively involved in the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, serving in various roles and committees. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend, and everyone's biggest supporter. She will be remembered for her kind heart and her delicious bundt cakes.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband Bob; daughter Stephanie; son Matthew; son-in-law Jeff; four sisters: Judy (Shig) Tokubo, Maxine Nakamura, Elaine (Gino) Abad, Louise (Lyman) Lum; brothers and sisters-in-laws: Patti (Larry) Yamada, Dan (Gloria) Shingai, and Wayne (MaryAnn) Shingai; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Kiyomi and Yoshiye Kaita; parents-in-law Yukio and Tsunaye Shingai; and twin brother, Bruce (Jeri) Kaita. She will be greatly missed by all.
A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 11am at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge Street, Watsonville, California 95076.
Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Published in The Pajaronian · June 4, 2024