Obituary of Mabel Claudine Barcelona

Mabel Claudine Barcelona of University Place, Washington passed away peacefully with family at her side on February 4, 2023.   Her family is thankful for being able to celebrate her 90^th birthday just a week prior to her passing.

Claudine was born on January 25, 1933, in Kingman, Kansas to Floyd and Sybil Spotts. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas and lived in the Planeview neighborhood while her father worked at Boeing building B52 bombers.   She graduated from Planeview High School in 1951 where she was a star student and earned the opportunity to visit the White House during President Trumans term.

She met her husband Anthony in 1954 at a soda fountain in Wichita, Kansas and was married soon after in New York and would celebrate 60 years of marriage before Tony’s passing in 2015.  As an Air Force spouse, Claudine spent many years with Tony raising their five children through various postings both stateside and overseas to include Germany, Japan and her fondest memories being of the time spent on the beautiful island of Guam.  The family moved to Santa Maria, California in 1974, where she remained until retiring to Washington in 1997.

Intelligent and well-versed, Claudine was an avid reader and a whiz with numbers. She enjoyed the few jobs she held as a bookkeeper, but her greatest accomplishment was that of homemaker.   Claudine loved her family and took pride in their accomplishments. Artistic, creative, and organized, Claudine often volunteered her talents as a room mom, Girl Scout leader and field trip chaperone.   She was an excellent seamstress and made many an outfit, costume and prom dress for her kids and their friends.  Claudine was most known for her excellent baking skills, ensuring her family and friends had their favorite treats at every birthday and holiday, with her chocolate chippers, popcorn balls and lemon bars always a top request!  She was an avid sports fan (playing softball in her youth) and especially loved the Lakers but also faithfully followed tennis, figure skating and baseball!  In her later years, Claudine enjoyed her time running the “Color Me Beautiful” art program and defending her title of cornhole champion at the senior residence at which she resided before moving in with her son Mark, where she spent her final few years.

In addition to her parents, Claudine was preceded in death by her husband Anthony, infant sister Bonnie, brother Eugene “Bud”, and sisters Margaret and Thelma.  She is survived by her sister Kathy, brother Larry, daughters Carla Barcelona and Cynthia Barcelona-Hoskins (Matthew), sons Mark “Tony” (Shawna), Richard, and Patrick (Sunpok); 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by the families of Delia Torres and Inez Rodriguez, great friends that became family.

Mom was very loved and will be deeply missed.  We will plant a memorial tree on Thursday, March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. at Pioneer Park in Santa Maria, CA.  On Friday, March 3^rd a Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria, CA.  Claudine will be interred alongside her husband at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington at a date to be determined. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Mortuary in University Place, WA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences to the family may be offered online at www.edwardsmemorial.com.