Barbara Ann Carlisle 1936-2026
Barbara Ann Carlisle, a longtime resident of Felton, California since 1960, passed peacefully on January 6th and went home to be with her Lord. She leaves behind a rich legacy of love and care for her family and community. Barbara was born on a snowy January night to Henry and Gladys Ruppel in Twin Bridges, Montana. She and her twin brother, Byron, were born two months premature. Their lives were saved by a good doctor from Sheridan that had the sense to place the 3 ½ pound newborns under chicken incubator lights for 10-14 days to keep them warm. This survivor spirit inherited at birth went on to create a passionate and giving life of service. Barbara met the love of her life, Joseph Carlisle, at Montana State University, Bozeman, when she was 20 years old. Joe had called up her sorority house to ask a girl to a dance, Barbara answered the phone and told him the girl was not there, so he asked if she might be interested in going with him, and she said “Sure!” It was love at first sight, especially since Joe had remembered seeing Barbara dangling by the coat on a fence after sneaking into an ice-skating rink a few nights earlier. They married in Deer Lodge, MT in 1957 and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Joe was employed after college. It was there that she used her degree in Home Economics from Montana State to student-teach and earn her teaching credential. They welcomed their first two of seven children there, Joe and David.
Barbara Carlisle with twin brother Byron and her father, Henry Ruppel. Flathead Lake, Montana 1940.
The Santa Cruz Mountains called, and in 1960 Joe came to work for Lockheed Missiles and Space in Bonny Doon. They heard of a house for sale in the nearby town of Felton and Joe just happened to have the amount asked for as a deposit in his wallet. Their home was duly established and over the span of the next 11 years they welcomed five more children into their lives.
Barbara’s dedication to her community, church and family was evident from the start. When her seventh child was born with Down syndrome, she worked tirelessly for his rights for education, enrolling him in a mainstream program at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School so that he could participate in a regular classroom atmosphere with an aide. She volunteered heavily with the Special Olympics, and then ultimately ran a daycare in her home in Felton. Children’s House, which served countless families of Santa Cruz County for 20 years, welcomed children of all developmental needs. Upon retirement, she gave her services to Santa Cruz County again in supporting foster-children in her home for the next 10 years.
Barbara Carlisle
She is survived by her husband, Joe Carlisle, and their seven children; Joe Carlisle and daughter-in-law Margot, David Carlisle and daughter-in-law Muri, Paul Carlisle and daughter-in-law Irma, Beth Carlisle-Hollenbeck (son-in-law Dr. Terry Hollenbeck preceded in death in 2022), Robert Carlisle and daughter-in-law Kim, Karen Carlisle-Neal and son-in-law Brian, Daniel (Danny) Carlisle, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with another one due in May!
In honor of Barbara’s love and commitment to her son, Danny Carlisle, the family is requesting donations towards HOPE Services of Santa Cruz, Lincoln Street (you can put “For Santa Cruz Dept #4181” in the comment section at the website.)
Website for donations: https://donate.hopeservices.org/donate/general-donation-form
Celebration of Life will be held at 1 PM on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Felton Presbyterian Church (now called Valley Grace Church) at 6090 Hwy 9, Felton, CA. 95018.
(Photos contributed by the Carlisle family.)
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