Barbara Jane Chintala

Barbara J. Chintala, 92, of the Banker’s Hill neighborhood of San Diego, passed in peace on December 6, 2024.  She was a devoted wife, cherished mom, beloved grandmother, and loyal friend.  We will remember her always.

Barbara was born on May 25th, 1932 in Brainerd, Minnesota to Rufus and Vivian Cincoski, the youngest of four children. Growing up as part of a railroad family, Barbara traveled the rails across the country on a regular basis with her mother. After a year of college in St. Paul, MN, Barbara's adventurous spirit led her to Washington, DC.....via the railroad.

Several years later, Barbara met her future husband, Jake, while working at Henderson Hall (headquarters of the United States Marine Corps). For the next 15 years, the USMC transferred Barbara and Jake and their growing family nearly every 18 months. From USMC base to base, Barbara endured the dreaded white glove housing inspections while seemingly raising her children in the back seat of their Oldsmobile!

Upon Jake's retirement from the USMC in 1969, Barbara and Jake bought a house in Poway, CA that would become their home for the next 50 years.  Barbara worked in the libraries of the Poway Unified School District while the kids were growing up, graduating, and venturing off to college. Barbara and Jake’s family were founding members of the St. Gabriel’s Catholic Parish in Poway.

Yearly Thanksgiving traditions in Poway were enjoyed by annually hosting her brother Bill's family from Los Angeles. The hospitality was graciously returned every Easter when Barbara's family would travel to LA creating wonderful family memories that are still cherished today by the cousins. Eventually, as empty nesters, Barbara and Jake finally had the opportunity to travel the world. They were avid cruisers through the years and explored Europe regularly.

In 2018, Barbara lost Jake after 62+ years of marriage and settled into the Merrill Gardens

Senior Living Community later that year. Barbara diligently completed her daily word search puzzles and her weekly PEOPLE magazine crossword puzzles.  Barbara rarely missed a session of BINGO and always arrived early to carefully pre-select her lucky BINGO cards.  The monthly birthday dinners and seasonal celebrations hosted by Merrill Gardens were always a highlight in her schedule.  Barbara's thirst for knowledge was evident by her reciting the ever-changing PADRES lineup and watching JEOPARDY nightly.

Barbara is survived by her daughter and family of New England, and by her son and family of San Diego, CA.  She has been laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery, reunited with her husband.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jane Chintala, please visit our floral store.