Great-grandmother, teacher, volunteer, traveler

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the recent passing of beloved Barbara Marie Benson Myers, on April 20^th, 2023,” her family shared.

Barbara was born in Sheldon, Iowa, and was a graduate of Iowa State College, where she was chapter president of Sigma Kappa sorority. After moving to California she married C. Fred Myers, a union that lasted 41 years until his death.

“We celebrate the generous and joyous life of Barbara,” her family said. “Her achievements and participation with many are kindhearted and humble with charity of heart. Barbara volunteered her time to many and is happily remembered with deep affection and love.”

As a volunteer she was an elementary school class mother and PTA member. A Girl Scout in her youth, she went on to lead her daughter’s troops and her son’s Cub Scout dens. She was also an active parent in her children’s coed Explorer Scouts troop.

She traveled extensively with friends and family. With a teaching degree and master’s degree in history, she taught a semester in Nagano, Japan, and spent semesters as a student in Salamanca, Spain and Florence, Italy.

“A passion for other cultures with two AFS exchange students including going to museums and the desire to share with others made Barbara a loveable Christian soul who impacted all our lives with kindness,” her family continued.

A voracious reader, she was a 19-year resident (2004-2023) of Mt. San Antonio Gardens. She loved gardening in her yard and was a devoted volunteer of more than 30 years at California Botanic Garden. She taught art and home economics in the Glendora Unified School District for 23 years and was an expert in Yuan Dynasty Chinese calligraphy brush paintings.

She was also, “an ultimate hostess with gourmet dinners and various wine tastings, an accomplished seamstress for clothes, quilting, needle point and embroidery,” her family added.

“A life well lived. A full life. A close and valued friend to many,” they said. “May the angels of faith guide Barbara into her new heavenly place.”

She is survived by her two brothers, four children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1 at Claremont Presbyterian Church, where she had been member since 1966.