Barbara was born in the midst of the Great Plains of Nebraska, educated in country schools of Brown County, through the 8th grade, high schools from Boulder Colorado, to Holdrege, Nebraska to Wayne, Nebraska, (with several other temporary stops) She grad­uated from Wayne College Preparatory School and was not recom­mended for College. She enrolled at Wayne College with a ringing "let me show you" to the high school administrator who disparaged her chances. Four years later she graduated, became a valued teacher in the North Platte, Nebraska Schools system, and a year later, married Hugh Marshall Gailey, another Nebraskan.


Barbara taught Kindergarten there for the next 4 1/2 years, ending with the birth of her son, James Marshall Gailey on March 4, 1959.


She moved to California, with husband and son, and a second son, Howard Dawe Gailey was born at Stanford Hospital on September 5, 1960. They all settled in San Jose and she substituted in local schools, taking a contract in 1964 with the Mt. Pleasant School District. She did not seek renewal of that contract, but took up long-term assignments in several school districts, until the Gilroy Schools put an ad in the local papers for grade-school teachers with
5 or more years experience. She applied, was hired, moved and settled in Gilroy. Hugh's commute got longer, but no more time consuming.

That was mid-August 1967. She and her family have lived here ever since. Barbara and her husband both retired in 1993-94. She continued to mentor other teachers in the teaching of reading, and volunteering in local schools for more than ten more years.

She is survived by her husband, sons James and Howard, James and Gina's children: Ada, Gianna, Marco & Fabrizio, as well as two unofficial Grandkids: Alma and Alejandra Maya. Her life was spent working with children, with special attentions for those who had been left behind.
She spent her life working with children, with special attentions for those who had been left behind. The success of those individuals was her chief delight. May her memory live long in Gilroy.

Funeral services will be held 10:00am Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Habing Family Funeral Home.