Obituary of Barbara Ellen Mackenzie

Barbara Ellen MacKenzie passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024 in Oroville, California.  Born on April 2, 1936 to Ralph and Dorothy Davis in Coalinga, California, she lived most of her life in Chico.  Barbara moved to Oroville upon her marriage to Norman MacKenzie in 1955.  

Barbara attended Chico High School and Butte College.  She raised two sons and returned to school to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science on June 10, 1972 from Chico State University.  Barbara began her teaching career as a student teacher at Ophir School.  In 1973, she was at Bird Street School teaching a combined first, second and third grade class.  She then moved to Oakdale Heights School to become the Resource Specialist Teacher where she taught Special Needs students who were also mainstreamed into regular classes, grades 1-6. Her principal for many of those years, Ray Sehorn, recalls working very closely with her attending all her parent meetings, as each of her students had an Individual Education Plan (IEP).  He notes that she was an outstanding teacher and highly respected by her peers. Barbara always said, “The kids are what makes teaching so great”.

In October 1983, while continuing her teaching career, Barbara became part owner of the Store Room in downtown Oroville with Helen Williamson and Nancy Gilbert.  The Store Room offered party supplies, decorations for all occasions, costumes, balloon bouquets, and teaching supplies.

After retiring from teaching, Barbara enjoyed traveling with husband Norm, collecting antiques, knitting, reading, spending time with family and spoiling her granddaughters.  Barbara is survived by son Mark, granddaughters Jennie and Sara and great-granddaughter Payton; son Matt and daughter-in-law Paula.  Barbara was preceded in death by beloved husband Norman D. MacKenzie.

Friends are respectfully invited to join the family at the Graveside service, to be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 1:00pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5640 Lincoln Blvd, Oroville, California 95966.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.