Salinas

Barbara Brem Heinzen (Bobby) passed away peacefully at age 91 on December 6, 2024, with family at her side.

Barbara will be remembered for her kind heart, contagious laugh, love of family and friends, and zeal for life. Bobby was compassionate, caring, and fun. She was an avid reader, loved to belt out a show tune, and rarely missed a party—and when there were costumes, so much the better!

Barbara was born in Gilroy, CA, on March 21, 1933. She and her beloved sister Lorraine were the daughters of Henry Brem and Sarah (Easton) Brem. Bobby was the youngest of the many Brem cousins, and the Dowdy Ranch was their playground. Hunting, fishing, farming, and family functions were at the core of Barbara’s upbringing.

Barbara attended Gilroy High School, where she made many lifelong friends and where, she admits, fun was her favorite subject.

Following high school, she attended Hartnell College, where she was a cheerleader and refined her creative writing and drama skills. There, she met Bob Heinzen, a Hartnell Panther football player.

In 1953, they were married while Bob was serving his country. In their 35 years together, they enjoyed family life and raised four children: Mike, Holly, Jeanne, and Dale. They maintained a loving, lifelong friendship.

Barbara was an Adams Street stay-at-home mom. She was active in all things kids, from PTA to Little League, and never missed the Kiddie Kapers parade. Mom was a lifelong learner. She and her family were incredibly proud when she earned her Bachelor’s Degree at the age of 60. Subsequently, she followed her passion for mentoring and supporting young women as she worked as a counselor and volunteered for several local non-profit organizations.

Barbara was blessed with innate creativity and curiosity and loved literature, writing, theater, and travel. She was a published author and playwright and thoroughly enjoyed live performances at local theaters, the Ashland Shakespearean Festival, Broadway, and London’s Theatre District.

Barbara and her partner Silvio Skefich, whom she met later in life, spent nearly 20 amazing years together in Pacific Grove and Salinas, traveling, enjoying family, and making many new friends along the way.

Barbara remained active throughout her life, enjoying tennis with friends and being a regular at the YMCA and Hartnell track. Her walking buddies, including kids, grandkids, and care providers, had to huff and puff to keep up with Barbara’s unwavering stride.

Barbara was loved and admired as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many.

Barbara is survived by her children, Mike Heinzen (Marcia), Holly Heinzen (Rob), Jeanne Heinzen Hood (Mark), and Dale Heinzen. Gramma Barbara was especially proud and loved to hang out with her grandchildren, Emily Heinzen (Bryan), Carly Woods (Chris), Cole Heinzen (Jessy), McClaren Unholz, Caden Unholz, Emma Hood (Danny), and Robert Hood. Gigi also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Posey Woods, Bearett Woods and Birdie Woods, who managed to coax big smiles from their Gigi at a moment’s notice. Her life was also blessed with Mathew and Sylvia Skefich, who forever joined our family and provided continued love and support. Aunt Bobby also leaves her beloved first cousin Glenn Brem of Gilroy and many nieces and nephews, both Heinzens and Brems, whom she absolutely adored. The family is especially grateful for the special care and much love Mom received from Rose Usi and her family in her later years and, most recently, the support of Heartland Hospice in guiding Mom with dignity and love in her final days.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 301 Corral de Tierra Road, Salinas. A celebration of life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hartnell College Scholarship fund, P.O. Box 6948, Salinas, CA 93912, or Friends of the Salinas Public Library, 110 W. San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901.