Barbara Ann Harding

Barbara (Johnston) Harding passed away on February 5, 2022, at the age of 92 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.  Born in 1929 to John and Esther (Bennett) Johnston, Barbara grew up on the family ranch on the Feather River in south Sutter County. She attended the one-room school in Verona and graduated from East Nicolaus High School in 1947.  A city girl at heart, she moved in with her aunt Ruth in Sacramento after high school. She worked for the City of Sacramento, teaching kids to swim at the Clunie Pool and keeping records for the Sacramento Police Department. While attending Sacramento City College, Barbara met Tom Harding and they married in 1953. They raised four rambunctious kids and continued a family tradition of weekly dinners featuring delicious food and drink, lively conversation, and an abundance of laughter.  Barbara deeply loved the arts, nature, politics, and dark chocolate. She nurtured many close friendships but her greatest love was for family and the feeling was mutual. She leaves her husband Tom, children John, Carol, Mary, and Ellen, daughter-in-law Lura, grandson Leo Melton, sister-in-law Mary Ann Johnston, nieces Nell Mullaney and Amy Evans and their families. Barbara was predeceased in 2003 by her only sibling, her beloved brother Alex Johnston.  We would like to thank the entire staff of Mercy McMahon Terrace and Snowline Hospice for their loving care of mom and our family. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2pm-4pm on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park, 3330 McKinley Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95816.  Please note that masks are required if unvaccinated and recommended regardless of vaccination status. Outdoor seating is available to unmask for eating. Please stay home if you are feeling sick or test positive for COVID-19.In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.parkinson.org/