Barbara M. Tovar

A beacon of love and tenderness passed from this world on Valentines Day February 14. Barbara Micaela Tovar (nee Medina) took her last breath at home surrounded by her family. She was given the Sacrament of Extreme Unction in the morning and was delivered to her Maker in the afternoon.
Barbara was born May 9, 1948 in San Bernardino, CA to Augustin and Helen Medina. She was a Class of 1966 Redlands High School graduate. Post -high school she completed course work at San Bernardino Valley College. She began a career as a bank teller at Bank of America while in her mid-20s and ended her bank career at Citizens Business Bank in Redlands from which she retired in 2020. Her customers and co-workers always delighted in her kindness and efficiency at the teller window.
Barbara married Robert Tovar in 1970. The two had three children, LeAnna, Matthew and Marcus. Barbaras Catholic faith was her anchor and guiding light as an adult. After becoming a single mom, she dedicated her life to raising her children and serving those in need through her church activities. She had a life-long affiliation with St. Joseph the Worker Church in Loma Linda where she was a lector and catechist teacher. She was also a long-time parishioner and catechist teacher with St. Marys Catholic Church in Redlands now known as Holy Name of Jesus. For years, she actively supported and participated with the Pro-Life Ministry. In addition, she helped with the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly where she would compassionately provide the holy eucharist to those who could not attend church services.
Right up until the time her illness confined her to bed, Barbara maintained a frenetic pace between her activities of ministry, assisting her aged mother who required increasing support as she entered her ninth decade, and attending to her grandmotherly duties. Her loved ones watched with both admiration and apprehension as she constantly courted exhaustion as a result of her volunteer efforts.
Barbara had six grandchildren whom she nurtured with love and guidance. Her lexicon did not include the word "no," no matter the circumstance, in the case of family members or friends who needed help, support or just a kind word. All who knew her use the same adjectives to describe her: "an angel, sweet, tender, loving, and compassionate."
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, her six grandchildren, her mother, and four brothers and a sister. After a life of selfless devotion to her family and countless good works for the less fortunate, she left the world a better place. She left remembrances of a beautiful soul in the hearts of those who loved her.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 4th at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel from 3:00pm - 7:00pm. A rosary will also be prayed at 6pm.
Mass will be offered on Friday March 5th at 11am at St. Joseph the Worker church in Loma Linda. Burial services to follow at Hillside Memorial in Redlands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pregnancy and Family Resource Center with a designation that they are in remembrance of Barbara Tovar.
www.pregnancyfamily.org
114 E. Airport Drive, Ste 104
San Bernardino, Ca 92408
(909) 382-4550

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Barbara M. Tovar, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.