Barbara McCarthy
June 17, 1921 – June 20, 2021
Barbara McCarthy, a longtime resident of San Rafael, passed away June 20, three days after celebrating her 100th birthday.
Over the past 75 years, she resided at Grand Avenue, Loch Lomond, Quail Hill and Villa Marin.
Barbara was born in San Francisco in 1921 to Drummond and Helen (Baker) MacGavin. Her father was a mining engineer, and her mother’s father made the wise decision to give up gold prospecting and instead opened
a hardware store in Sacramento at the onset of the Gold Rush in 1849. Baker & Hamilton became a thriving business, and the Baker & Hamilton building still exists in Old Town Sacramento while the San Francisco warehouse at 7th and Townsend Streets has been converted into office space.
Barbara was one of five sisters: Helen MacGavin, Dorothy Wilkins (Henry), Phyllis Crandall (Hal), and Kate Dickey (Sanford). They grew up and were educated in San Francisco but summered in Ross, Bolinas, the Russian River and Pinecrest. Barbara graduated from the Hamlin School in San Francisco and studied at UC Berkeley where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1942 before obtaining a teaching credential in 1943.
On June 26, 1943, she married Bryan River McCarthy (deceased 2014) at Bainbridge Island, Washington, shortly before he departed for the Pacific theatre during World War II as an ensign in the Navy.
Barbara and Bryan had three children: Jeanie Graustein (deceased; husband Bill), Susan Fujita (Denny), and Mark
McCarthy (Sara). They had five grandchildren: Lisa Graustein, Meg Graustein (Seb), Kimberly Fujita (Ron), Bryan S. McCarthy, and Katie McCarthy Webbe (Henry). She also had seven great-grandchildren: Ryan McCarthy; Xander Graustein; Leonidas, Darwin and Furiosa Fujita Borden; and Tarquin and Gusty Graustein-Rossi.
The McCarthy family spent a week each summer at the UC Berkeley Alumni Camp, the Lair of the Golden Bear, specifically Camp Blue. Barbara and Bryan went there for 33 consecutive summers, often accompanied by one or two generations of younger family members.
Barbara and Bryan spent many enjoyable days pleasure sailing or racing other Pearson Vanguards on San Francisco Bay on their 33-foot sloop Nereid. They loved Big Band music and dancing, and belonged to the Art Deco Society, dressing in clothing appropriate to the era. They traveled to many parts of the world, including: Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Barbara was a very modest, kind and gentle person who avoided the spotlight. She promoted education and literacy. She treasured the opportunities to read to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Barbara volunteered in the library at Villa Marin and was amazing in her ability to solve complex New York Times crossword puzzles.
Barbara worshipped at Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church for many years, and later at St. Isabella’s. She enjoyed participating in Bible studies.
She lived at Villa Marin for 21 years. In her final years, she received wonderful care from the staff, especially from her beloved aide, Yoli.
She is buried next to Bryan, at the Olema Cemetery, Marin County. At her request, graveside services on July 8 were private.
Memorial donations may be made to the Marin Retirement Community Foundation: MRCSF – Villa Marin, 5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94949. Please specify “Villa Marin” on the memo line so your donation will support scholarships for Villa Marin employees, their children and grandchildren.