Barbara Martini Laubacher

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Barbara Martini Laubacher, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and recognized member of the community, passed away peacefully, in the company of her family, on August 9, 2024, at the age of 73.

Barbara grew up in Pacific Palisades, the second of Dr. Michael and Elaine Martini’s six children. She received her early education at Corpus Christi School and then attended Marymount High School where she was voted “most spirited.” She went on to Santa Clara University, where she continued to make lifelong friends, including her husband Tom Laubacher, who was her best friend for over 50 years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Barbara returned briefly to Pacific Palisades, where she married Tom on April 12, 1975. Soon after, they moved to Oxnard, where they raised four children together and she became deeply involved in local communities spanning church, school, hospital, historical, and philanthropic organizations.

Barbara was actively involved in Santa Clara Parish, over the years serving as a Eucharistic Minister and contributing to various committees like Centennial Celebration, Call to Renew, and, most recently, the Parish Pastoral Council, where among other things she worked to make sure the church was a welcoming and inclusive place. Always an advocate for her children’s educations, she was a constant presence at Santa Clara Elementary School, where she could be found doing just about everything, including helping out with the parent club, volunteering in the school library, organizing auctions and other fundraisers, running the Academic Decathlon team, and joking around with the other moms on the hot lunch crew. At Santa Clara High School, she served as a development associate and took a leading role in planning events like the Fiesta, Golf Tournament, and the Hall of Fame dinner.

Barbara began volunteering at the Medical Library at St. John’s Hospital in 1987, which later turned into a part-time job at the Library and Medical Staff Office where she assisted doctors in finding research materials and played a vital role in the transition to digital records. She was a fixture at the hospital for decades, and in 2017, the Sisters of Mercy and St. John’s Hospitals honored her and Tom with the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.

After retiring from her job at the hospital, Barbara became involved with the Museum of Ventura County. She was always an appreciator of history, having dedicated herself to researching both the history of the local area and her own family ancestry, and she was so thrilled to be able to put these skills to use as the Education Director of the museum’s Docent Volunteer Council Board.

Over the years, Barbara was an active member of a number of charitable organizations, including Junior Monday Club, National Charity League, and Ventura County Forty Leaguers. Forty Leaguers in particular held a very special place in her heart. She was a member for decades and had been serving as the organization’s treasurer when she passed. She was so happy that she was able to attend their most recent fundraising event, helping to raise money for Mary’s Closet, a local charity that provides clothing to families in need.

Barbara was beloved by the whole community, but nothing compares to the love of her family and friends. We will remember her fun-loving nature, her feistiness, her wit and sense of humor. We will remember her love of crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, and old movies. And we will always remember her competitive spirit—God help you if you thought you could beat her at poker or Scrabble or Jeopardy. Barbara held many titles and honors throughout her life, but to us she will always be Queen of Charades, Keeper of the Spode, Instigator of Games, Family Historian, Gatherer of the Cousins, Knower of Names, Champion of Croquet, Scribe in Chief, and Matriarch of the Martini Clan.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband Tom and their four children: Laura and husband John Devereux, T.J. and wife Nicole, Christopher, and Michael and wife Christina. One of her greatest joys was being grandmother to her three grandchildren: Claire, Cameron, and Ava. She is also survived by her siblings Eileen, Msgr. Richard, James, and Joseph; many nieces, nephews, and other members of her large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Kathleen. 

Barbara’s legacy of family, community, and giving will be remembered by all who knew her. Memorial donations may be made to Mary’s Closet, the Museum of Ventura County, St. John’s Healthcare Foundation, or a charity of your choosing.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Rosary vigil on Sunday, August 18, at 7:00 pm at Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 S. E St., Oxnard.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m., also at Santa Clara Catholic Church, with a reception to follow.

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