The family of Barbara ( Keyawa) Hockett of Marysville, CA announces her passing, and invites all who knew her to remember her here.
Below, a small portrait of a life that will not soon be forgotten.
Parenthood is the slow work of love. Barbara did it well.
Barbara Anne (Keyawa) Hockett, aged 88, passed away peacefully the morning of May 2nd, 2026, embraced by both of her daughters. Born on July 14, 1937, Barbara was known for her vibrant, loving, and energetic personality. Throughout her life, she was not only a beacon of kindness and humor but also a figure of strength and leadership.Barbara graduated from E. Nicolaus High School and pursued higher education at Chico State, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1958. Initially setting out to become a nurse, Barbara found her true calling in teaching, a profession she dedicated herself to for over 45 years. She spent most of her career at Lincoln Elementary and later at Lincrest Elementary. Even after retirement, she continued teaching part-time until the age of 78, impacting well over a thousand students throughout her career. She absolutely loved being a teacher.Her love for the outdoors was profound. She was an avid fisher, and together with her husband, she took joy in catching, cleaning, and cooking her own catch. She also had a green thumb, cultivating her own vegetables and fruits, which she preserved through canning, eventually earning the title of "master canner."She is survived by her two daughters, Theresa Rakestraw and her husband, Mark, and Karen Keyawa Tomasek and her husband, Mike; her brother, Carl Hawthorne and his wife, Cece; and her grandson, J.D. Taylor, his wife, Lori, and their children, Alyssa and Ella. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Lynne Hockett.A service to celebrate Barbara's life will be held at Fairview Community Christian Church, 1991 Pacific Ave., Trowbridge (E. Nicolaus), CA, on Friday, May 15th at 11:00 a.m. Barbara's life was a testament to her unwavering spirit and enduring love for her family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 916-212-9982 Teri Rakestraw.
