Barbara Ann Levin Read Myers

Barbara Ann Levin Read Myers Barbara Ann Levin Read Myers, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and educator, passed away on February 7, 2022 at age 86, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. Born in San Francisco on May 30, 1935 Barbara was the beloved daughter of Walter and Helen Levin and cherished sister of Warren Levin. Devoted wife of the late Richard Read and the late Thomas Myers. Loving mother to Katherine Read (John Houston), Janet Read (David Skyhawk), Lisa Read (Jim Parden), Robert Read (Michael de los Santos) and Michael Read, and loving stepmother to Tom's five children. Doting grandmother to Robert Parden, Sara Parden, James Parden, Brett Read-Skyhawk, Alec Read-Skyhawk, Samuel Houston-Read, Rebecca Houston-Read, and Zachary Houston-Read. Loyal sister-in-law to Marjorie Levin and Ana Noles. Adoring Auntie of Matt Levin and Shana Levin. Dear cousin to Vicki McKendall, Mark Rosen, Linda Reynolds, Jennifer Baxter, Gerrie Marcus and Don Marcus. Barbara spent her childhood in the Richmond District of San Francisco before her family moved to Marin County. She graduated in 1953 from Sir Francis Drake High School (now Archie Williams High School) in San Anselmo. She attended the University of California, Berkeley where she received her B.A. in 1957 and teaching credential in 1958. At Cal, she was active in many campus organizations, including Mortar Board, Prytanean, Speakers Bureau, Cal Club and was elected Vice President of the Student Body, the highest elected student office for a woman at the time. After graduation, Barbara returned to Sir Francis Drake High School, where she taught physical education and directed the Drake Drill Team, which won accolades for its precision performances. She fell in love with fellow physical education teacher, Richard Read, and in 1959 they married. They lived in San Rafael and shared a busy life raising five children in a home filled with sports, school, and music. Barbara was very active in her children's activities, including managing her daughters' Bobby Sox Softball teams, serving on its Board of Directors, attending countless concerts, games, and performances and driving carpools. Meticulous and organized, Barbara held many part-time jobs throughout her life including as a bookkeeper to small San Rafael businesses. While raising her five children, she taught adult swimming and tennis at the College of Marin. Her classes filled as soon as they were announced. Somehow, she also found time for a few hobbies and interests of her own: playing bridge in numerous clubs, joining the hand bells choir at St Luke's Presbyterian Church and, being a southpaw, playing first base on the Shady Ladies, an adult softball team. Barbara loved being a Cal graduate and was involved in the University of California's Class of '57 reunion events, serving as alumni secretary. Though there were many happy days, there were also hard ones and Barbara's marriage to Dick eventually ended. In 1994, she married Tom Myers and moved to Bakersfield, to begin a beautiful new chapter. Tom and Barb enjoyed music, dancing, putzing around Bakersfield, and driving across country three times. A favorite destination of theirs was baseball Spring Training in Arizona, and Barbara was fortunate to enjoy many trips that brought the entire family together. She also enjoyed a quick get-away to the beach or to casinos to play the penny machines. Barb loved shopping and made every trip to the mall exciting. Barb and Tom also traveled with family to Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand. Barbara had an unparalleled zest for life and cherished family above all else. She embraced adventures of all sizes, relished in planning vacations, and delighted in watching her children and grandchildren pursue their many interests. From Glenn Miller to Rent to John Philip Sousa, Barbara's love of music and dancing was a consistent theme throughout her life which she happily bestowed on her family. Never one to tire easily, she rarely missed concerts, games, or graduations and she established a special relationship with each of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed meeting new people and connected with most every person she encountered. People also gravitated to Barbara because of her contagious charisma, positive attitude, and magnetic personality, plus she was just fun and easy to be around! She lived by The Golden Rule and similar guiding principles, including Always Think Positive and Never Give Up. She was loved and admired by everyone who knew her, and she will be sorely missed. The family is eternally grateful to the many devoted caregivers, specifically Sheryl Fluker, Rowena Guerrero, Pauline Najjemba and Vanessa Taylor; Lyn Molina, who cared for Barb during the pandemic; Mande Glueck and Geri Thomas, Care Managers, Rev. Janie Spahr and the dedicated caregivers and staff at Waterstone Senior Living (Wellesley, MA), Merrill Gardens (Campbell, CA), and Silverado Memory Care (Berkeley, CA). The family would also like to express their gratitude to Monte's Chapel of the Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523; and to the Alzheimer's Association East Bay Office, 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite 250, Lafayette, CA 94549. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 10 Bayview Drive, San Rafael, CA on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. If possible, please wear fuchsia to honor Barbara. Vaccination and masks are mandatory. Barbara will be laid to rest aside her husband Tom Myers at the San Joaquin National Cemetery. Burial will be private.

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