May 20, 1962 – March 8, 2026
Barbara Jane Craig 63, passed away peacefully in Santa Clara on March 8, 2026, from complications due to neurodegenerative disease. Her family, friends and care givers were with her continuously during the last few days.
Born Barbara Jane Craig on May 20, 1962, in Atlanta Georgia, she was the youngest of 4 children. Driven by her father’s career, the family moved regularly, Atlanta Georgia, Rockville Maryland and Bernardsville New Jersey before the last move to Los Altos Hills California in spring of 1972.
Barbara attended Fremont Hills Elementary School, Terman Middle School and graduated from Gunn High School in 1980. Though Barbara was delt several tough cards from birth, her public-school career was blessed with good grades and lifelong friends. After high school, group homes, vocational programs and regular employment were not for Barbara, her free spirit was not a match for these programs. Instead, with support for housing and expenses she lived independently for most of her adult life. She became an expert on the local bus system and with her VTA Pass she could navigate several counties on any given day. A devoted sports fan Barbara could be seen regularly at Stanford Baseball Games, Stanford Women’s Basketball Games as well as San Jose Giants Games. An avid bicyclist, she loved to explore the peninsula on two wheels and was a member of Western Wheelers for many years. Barbara also took great comfort from her Christian faith and could often be seen at many of the local churches.
Barbara developed neurodegenerative disease later in life and found it difficult to maintain her independent lifestyle. Fortunately, she was admitted as a long-term resident at a local nursing home where she lived out her life.
She was predeceased by her father William in 1982, her mother Linda Hughes in 2024, and her brother Bradford Hughes in 2021. She is survived by her brothers Jonathan Dawes II (Linda), Parker William, sister-in-law Denise Phipps and her nieces and nephews Jonathan Dawes III, Avery Margaret, Chestina Nicole and Willam Daniel.
Barbara was loved and will be missed; her unique perspective and spicy personality always kept us on our toes.
Any sympathy in the form of a donation can be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
