Surrounded by her family, Barbara A. (Casso) Sanchez passed away on Oct. 11, 2026, after a nearly 10-year battle with leukemia.

Barbara was born on May 14, 1953 in Santa Barbara. Her parents were Jesse and Barbara Casso. 

Barbara attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Grade School and graduated from Bishop Diego High School in 1971.

Following a career at Heyer Schulte and McGhan Medical, Barbara attended Santa Barbara City College, earning a certificate from the Early Childhood Education Program. She worked at UCSB’s Orfalea Family Children’s Center until her retirement in 2018.

Surviving Barbara are her two children Teddi Drew (Reggie) and Jamie Sanchez (Natalie); four grandchildren Reggi and Boston Drew and Bobbi and Ford Sanchez; sister Anna (Michael Cloonan); brothers Jesse (Cheryl Marino) and Jamie (Selina); many nieces and nephews; as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

On most weekends, Barbara and her kids traveled throughout Southern California and Nevada, playing their chosen sports. It was that tireless commitment to her children that enabled both Teddi and Jamie to become successful adults and tremendous parents to their own children.

To Barbara, her kids and grandchildren were her world, her everything. She would drop anything to help or take care of them. She was their fiercest supporter; she never missed a game and always encouraged their participation in school and community activities.

She also supported and attended her grandchildren’s lacrosse, mountain bike, folklorico dance, football, basketball and baseball games. She proudly watched her grandchildren grow and compete in their chosen activities and athletic competitions.

On many weekends throughout the year, Barbara’s grandchildren would spend the night with her, watching their favorite television programs into the wee hours of the night. In the mornings, they would head out to Starbucks for extra hot mocha coffee, juice, bagels or muffins.

If two words could describe Barbara it would be that she was loyal and supportive. She was fiercely loyal to her siblings, her children and grandchildren, and to her nieces and nephews.

Lovingly and vocally, she supported her family, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Barbara always had everyone’s back; she had this uncanny characteristic to say the right thing or to do the right thing for her family.

On a family text chain, she was always the first to wish someone a happy birthday, a happy anniversary, or to recognize one of her siblings, her children, her grandchildren or her nieces and nephews who might be celebrating an accomplishment in the classroom or at work.

While major holidays may have been months away, Barbara was always the first to ask about the family’s plans to celebrate. She was happiest and in her element at family gatherings.

Barbara remained close to many of her classmates from Guadalupe and Bishop Diego, and her co-workers. She enjoyed attending her high school reunions, and she was able to spend quality time with her closest friends before she passed away.

Her sharp-witted comments about local, state or national political leaders and issues will be sorely missed; she was not afraid to speak her mind or post a comment on the Internet.

She was a vocal advocate of re-opening State Street to vehicular traffic; she failed to see the rationale (or lack thereof) for keeping Santa Barbara’s main thoroughfare closed to cars and trucks.

Barbara’s presence will be sorely missed at family gatherings, but we are comforted by having memories of her love and commitment to each of us. Words will never adequately quantify what she meant to our family. We are all heartbroken over her passing.

Her fight with leukemia serves as a daily reminder that you do not give up, you greet each day with an indefatigable commitment to live life to its fullest and to love and support your family.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at Calvary Cemetery in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to VNA Health of Santa Barbara.