Barbara Smith Bickell passed away peacefully in her home on April 15, 2026, at the age of 100.
Born on March 12, 1926, in Denver, Colorado, to Carlos and Lulu Harriet Smith. Her childhood interests included horseback riding and piano.
After marrying, she moved to Livingston, CA, in 1950. There she was active in PTA and Little Theater Group. It was at this time she began experimenting with clay and other art forms. She developed many cherished friendships while raising her 3 children in Livingston. She moved to Turlock in 1973 where she lived for 53 years.
She expressed her creativity through her garden, floral design, mosaics, paintings, and ink brush drawings. One of her commissioned mosaics is displayed in St. Francis Episcopal Church in Turlock. She also deeply supported the creativity of others and nurtured an appreciation of poetry and the visual arts.
Her passion for the arts led her to become active in the local art community. She audited art classes at Cal State University, Stanislaus and made close friends with local artists. She loved gardening, entertaining, cooking, drinking good wine and spirited conversation.
Barbara is survived by her children Cathy Hays (Otto), Lisa Rodrigues (Rick), Greg Bickell (Linda); her grandchildren Julie Rodrigues Widholm (Tim), Kathryn Rodrigues Knox (Matt), George Hays (Aki), Taylor Bickell, Lauren Bickell; her great grandchildren Maya Widholm, Miles Widholm, Henry Knox, Lucy Knox and Nanami Hays.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Seva Hospice (https://www.sevahospice.com) or the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, Ca. (carnegieartsturlock.org)
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