Barbara Jean Mahar
Date of Death: July 15, 2026

Barbara Jean Mahar (maiden name Dunsmoor) was born in Salem, Oregon to Clifford and Ruth Dunsmoor on December 26, 1927.  She died at the age of 98 years on July 15, 2026 at her residence, Oakmont of Orange, in Orange, California.
Although born in Salem, Barbara grew up in Portland, in the Sellwood area.  She attended Sellwood Elementary School and graduated from Commerce High School (now known as Cleveland High School) in 1946.  While in high school, Barbara worked on weekends at the Oaks Park Rollerskating Rink in Sellwood.  She was a soda jerk, working at the rink’s café and soda fountain, and was well-known for her famous vanilla shakes.  This is where she met her future husband and love of her life, Charles H. Mahar.  He was in the navy and on shore leave in Portland, Oregon at that time.  Not long after they met, Charles was shipped to the Pacific and served in the Philippines, New Guinea, Tacloban, and Leyte.  Meanwhile, Barbara began working for Portland Federal Savings and Loan as a secretary to the bank’s president, Guy E. Jaques.  Here she learned many of the banking positions offered to women in business at that time, from switchboard to teller to loan processing.  This launched her lifelong career in banking and finance.  Barbara became the first female officer in banking in the state of Oregon.
Charles proposed to Barbara while he was still serving overseas.  When he returned home, they were married on February 11, 1946.  Theirs was a very personal and family-oriented ceremony – beautiful in its simplicity.
Barbara spent her professional career in banking.  When she moved to California with Charles and their family she continued working in that field for Security Pacific National Bank, the California Escrow Service, and later for the FDIC in the Investigations Department.  Soon after, she was moved to the Foreclosure Department during a time when many banks were having to close their doors.
Both Barbara and Charles were devoted parents to their son Ben, born July 2, 1951 and their daughter Becky, born August 24, 1954.  Whether it was supporting Ben in baseball, basketball, ice hockey, or football, or Becky’s Campfire Girl days, ballet, or cello lessons, they were always very much involved in the life of their kids.  Their love and devotion to their family was their most important priority.
Charles died at 55 years of age on August 4, 1980.  Barbara never remarried.
In addition, Barbara was passionate about giving back to her community.  This love of helping others as a volunteer went as far back as her childhood with the formation of the Good Time Club, where she and her neighborhood friends – at 12 and 13 years of age – put together picture scrapbooks for the children in Sellwood Hospital so the kids would have something to occupy their time.  As an adult, she went on to serve as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; Mary’s Kitchen in Orange; the gift shop in what was then known as Western Medical Center; as a Companion Minister to the bereaved at Holy Family Catholic Church; and as part of the Young in Spirit ministry at Holy Family, making rosaries for military men and women who were overseas and for countless Confirmandi throughout our diocese.  At one point, she was able to make 200 rosaries a week – of course, she was retired at that time.
Barbara had a wonderful life with her family, traveling to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the US.  She was always up for a new adventure – whether that meant parasailing, whitewater rafting, or karate, she loved all of it!  She loved creating through crafting, knitting/crochet, sewing, needleworks of all kinds, and china painting.  She was so gifted in so many areas.
Barbara is survived by her son Ben, her daughter Becky, and their respective spouses, Laurie and Greg; grandchildren Jake, Jen, Jimmy, John, and Kate; great-grandchildren Gabbi, Jules, Ben, and Sage; her sister Jacqualine Ann; nieces Dee, Lisa, and Susie; nephew Darrel; great-nephew Ian; great-niece Savanna; and great-great-nephews Reece and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate are asked to support the charities mentioned above: Habitat for Humanity or Mary’s Kitchen/Pantry (now in Anaheim, California).
Our family would like to thank our friends for their love and support during this time.  We especially thank Karen Perez, Director of Memory Care at Oakmont of Orange, and their staff for their loving and compassionate care of our mom in her final months.  We would also like to thank Julie at Shannon Family Mortuary, the Christ Cathedral Bereavement Team, and Fr. Christopher Smith for walking this part of our mom’s path with us.  Barbara will be interred with her husband Charles at the Willamette Military Cemetery in Portland, OR.