Cherish Life and Enjoy Each Moment

Loving. Joyous. Beautiful. Positive. Strong. Adventurous. Artistic. Barbara Tomiko Walton dedicated her life and her passion to providing care and love to her beloved parents, Ida Chiyo Miyata and Harry Hideo Miyata, her devoted husband and soulmate, Bobby, her loving daughter, Emily, and her caring son-in-law, Barry. Barbara also embraced the addition of Barry’s parents, Robert and Barbara Van Wagner, and his sister, Ginger Van Wagner, and Emily’s dearest friends into the small and loving family circle. Barbara’s laughter, dazzling smile, and incredibly positive approach to life brought a joie de vivre to this circle that has inspired us all over the years.

Barbara was born in California on June 17, 1933 and her life was changed when she was three and adopted by her adoring parents, who welcomed Barbara and gave her the love, warmth, and care she deserved. Their life was upended in early 1942 when Americans of Japanese descent were unjustly incarcerated for the duration of World War II. Their business and housing lost, Barbara and her parents spent three years at Gila River Internment Camp in Arizona until released to start a new life – from scratch – in Colorado. Barbara finished her schooling and helped her parents in Colorado, later marrying and giving birth to her beloved daughter, Emily. The marriage was short-lived, however, and Barbara next led her family to San Francisco, where her life blossomed while giving her all to raising her daughter and meeting the love of her life, Bobby, whom she married on January 3, 1971.

Often working four or even five jobs a day, Barbara always made time for Emily and nurtured a bond that remained sealed from that moment on. With Bobby in their life, the three traveled throughout the Bay Area and beyond, taking fabulous driving trips up to British Columbia and Banff, Canada, and throughout the western United States. Barbara loved to cook and prided herself with the meals she provided to her family, including tasty Japanese and American classics, and specialty Polish dishes learned from Bobby’s mother! A succession of poodles and a few highly personable parakeets completed their household as they moved first to Albany and then to El Cerrito in the East Bay. Barbara joined Emily on several work-related trips and later enjoyed European vacations both with Barry’s mother and later with Bobby, wrapping up each vacation with her Emily and Barry to complete the family once again, even overseas. A fond and slightly tongue-in-cheek remembrance is Bobby telling Barbara “We’ll always have Berlin” (wink, wink). That was enough to make even Bogart and Bergman jealous!

Barbara’s artistic talents were highlighted by the beautiful abalone jewelry and décor pieces she created from the iridescent gems collected on family trips to Gualala and other nearby beaches. Her favorite was Bowling Ball Beach, a quiet and isolated beach perfect for walking the family poodle(s), having picnics, basking in the sunshine, enjoying the rugged coastline beauty, and hunting for treasures washed up from the sea. Well into her 80s, Barbara diligently cleaned, sorted, sifted, selected, and prepped her collected abalone pieces for the artwork she fashioned, especially the pendants she created that rivaled the beauty of those found in any jewelry store.

Barbara inspired those around her with how she never let anything get her down: some of life’s hardest challenges she faced head on, and she never, ever, let them define her attitude or her life. She always kept her focus on cherishing life, enjoying each moment, treasuring those she loved, and spreading joy and kindness when possible. One of our favorite photographs of Barbara is her gleefully – and full of whimsy – charging down a sandy dune at Pismo Beach, her hair blown back by the formidable wind, the sun illuminating puffy white clouds behind her, and her dazzling smile of undisguised happiness and joy promising a most excellent day ahead.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband Bobby, her adoring daughter Emily, and Emily’s husband Barry. Her enthusiasm and always positive outlook continue to inspire us to appreciate the world’s beauty, including those we love and hold dearest in our hearts. We thank you, Barbara, for a lifetime of love, inspiration, joy, strength, and laughter. We are better because of you and you will forever brighten our days. We love you and hold you close in our hearts forever – Our Very Own Sunshine, Barbara!

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