Barbara “Bobbe” Johnson, a brilliant and vibrant woman known for her warmth, generosity, and gracious spirit, passed away on June 28, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born in Seattle, Washington, on Sept. 20, 1933, Bobbe lived a rich and adventurous life filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

She was a longtime Santa Barbara resident.

A gourmet cook and elegant entertainer, she welcomed friends and family into her home with open arms and a warm heart. She had a remarkable talent for tasting a meal once, then replicating it perfectly at home.

Her joy for exceptional food was legendary; she could hardly contain her excitement when experiencing something truly delicious.

Bobbe was incredibly strong and determined. She beat cancer twice, including Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 1984, a diagnosis her doctors regarded as a death sentence at the time. She told her doctors to rewrite their textbooks on ovarian cancer treatment because she was going to show them they were wrong.

She took her recovery into her own hands and beat it.  She later counseled and inspired many friends facing similar battles, helping them find the strength to beat their own diagnoses.

She balanced a successful career with her roles as a devoted wife and mother

In the first part of her professional life, she worked in aerospace at Boeing, including on the Apollo program in Cocoa Beach, Florida, helping to put a man on the moon.

She also worked on building the “Guppies” in Santa Barbara, which were aircraft designed to transport the Space Shuttle. Later, she held an executive management role at Raytheon in Santa Barbara.

Bobbe had a deep love for the outdoors, and spent many joyful days camping, fishing and hunting. She also had a passion for travel, exploring the world from the Far East to Australia and Europe, alongside her husband and best friend of 73 years Johnny Johnson, who preceded her in death. Together, they built a life of shared adventure and enduring love.

“Gaga” was the glue that held her family together. She kept all of us connected with phone calls and gatherings. Her signature phrase, “Couldn’t be better!” became a family motto.

Even when frustrated, her strongest words were a charming “dad gum chicken scum.”

Her home was always open to family and friends alike, and she was renowned for her Monday night dinner parties, and many other lively soirées that fostered lifelong friendships.

Bobbe is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Robert Dependahl; her cherished grandchildren Samuel Dependahl (Rachele) and their children Paige, Clara and Dashiell), and Kimberly McGillis (Charlie) and their children Kaia and Calvin.

Bobbe’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched with her kindness, wisdom, and unshakable strength. She is lovingly remembered and deeply missed.

May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.