Barbara Ann Austin

Barbara (Bobbie) was born Sept 2, 1931 in Livonia Township, Minnesota. The youngest daughter of Vance Bartlett, and Sylvia Hazel Grier, Bobbie was the eighth, in a family with 12 children. Vivian, Jocelyn, Loraine, Audrey, Elwin, Vance Jr, Norman, Barbara, Jeffrey (died at age 12), Larry, Darwin, and Douglas. As a child, she loved singing folksongs with her Dad and taught those songs to her children years later.

In the early 1950’s, Bobbie travelled to California where she met and married Ralph Austin. Ralph was in the Air Force and their first child, Stevie, was born in Colorado in 1955. Their second, Henry, was born in Texas in 1956. By 1957 Ralph began working as an Aerospace Engineer and the family settled in Gardena, California. The rest of the family soon followed: Deni, Phil, Melani, Andy and Carol. Bobbie and Ralph were active in their parish at Maria Regina. They made good friends in the neighborhood and in scouting.

In 1972 the family moved to Torrance, California. And Bobbie’s family continued to grow. The first grandchild (Jenny) arrived in 1976 and Bobbie proudly lent her advice and wisdom. Through the years, 14 more grandchildren arrived: Brandon, Alyse, Erin, Sean, Patrick, Tommy, Brian, Kevin, Caeli, Daniel, Miranda, Mac, Rachel and Jalen. It was very busy at every holiday! Christmas Eve, especially, became a tradition to celebrate at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. There was always room for more!

An accomplished seamstress, Bobbie created floor samples for Cloth World, costumes for her many roles in Torrance Women’s Club Fractured Follies, Wedding and prom dresses, and many, many Halloween costumes.

Bobbie joined the Torrance Women’s Club in the 1990’s, which opened opportunities for travel, community service, and lifelong friendships. Bobbie loved performing. She participated in many Fractured Follies with the TWC and Ralph helped make sets. Too soon, Ralph passed away in 1998. At St James Parish, Bobbie became active in the Bereavement Ministry, laundered the sacred alter cloths, assisted in tabulating weekly collections, and helped Feed the Needy.

Bobbie set her sights on more travel and served as President for the Torrance Women’s Club 2000-2002. She was very proud of her work raising funds for the Restoration of the Club House. (Donations can be made in Bobbie’s name at Torrance Women’s Club website.)

At St James Catholic Church, Bobbie became friends with Mike Dills. She travelled with the St James Choir to Ireland. Mike and Bobbie enjoyed many travels together over the years.

In 2009, Bobbie had a stroke which affected her ability to speak. She worked hard to recover. On Fridays, she joined a neighborhood group of friends for lunch. They have been “lunching” together since the early 2000’s, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and sharing family photos. They are known today as the “WenDivas”(formerly “McDivas”) and we are thankful for their love and support.

Through the years, Bobbie would make trips to meet up with her brothers and sisters at various Bartlett Reunions. She was always greeted warmly as the baby sister that she was. Through her life and her actions, Bobbie communicated the value of family and the endurance of that love.

In her declining years, Bobbie continued to enjoy meeting with the “WenDivas”, attending Past President events at TWC, and seeing her 7 children, her 15 grandchildren and now great-grandchildren, who number 18. We are so grateful to neighbors, family, friends and many caregivers who loved Bobbie and helped her live to the fullest! She passed away peacefully November 18, 2022. She was 91.

She is survived by seven children: Stephannie (Mitch Tabaldo), Henry, Denise (Ray Thompson), Philip (Coleen), Melani (Bob Alliston), Andy (Karen Senechal), and Carol (Rick Zeitke).

Bobbie’s Celebration of Life will be held at 10 am, Monday, Feb, 6th at St James Catholic Church, 415 Vincent St. Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

Family, Love and Singing – Treasures Bobbie Gave Us – And her Famous Smile!