Barbara Jahier Baccus-Acosta

August 24, 1951 - August 7, 2025

Last week I was getting ready to board a flight from St Louis back to Los Angeles when my mom called and said she was heading to the hospital. Something seemed different in her tone, and I found out she only had a day or two to live. She has been in terrible health this year and not great health the past five or so years, so it was hardly surprising.

I flew to Portland Thursday morning to get to where she was and spent her last six hours with her. She passed away quietly and with no pain as she had great hospice care. So, the last few days have been a bit chaotic, yet peaceful too. Like I said, she wasn't doing great health-wise and it was honestly a very positive thing this all happened and happened in the most serene way possible.

My mom was a lot of fun. She was usually laughing and enjoying her life even though it wasn't always an easy life. She lost her dad when she was 13 to cancer and her mom (my grandma Nelly) was a first generation Italian who was a bit overwhelmed as a single working parent with two strong-willed kids. But with a lot of adversity my mom still found a way to enjoy life.

She definitely was the one who inspired my desire to cook and to keep a pristinely clean car. Her cars were always spotless inside and out. The house too. Of course, some of that spotlessness was from us, as she taught us to pick up any lint or debris off the carpet. I do feel she taught me to be a survivor. When my parents first separated, she waited tables and worked hard to keep things going. Though they weren't going that great because we also waited in line for government cheese (pretty sure it was Velveeta) and were on welfare. Later when she was divorced she started her own cleaning business and did that for several years until it was just physically too much. She also had a great time being on the South Pasadena High School Alumni Association for several years. She was very active and had a great time reconnecting with so many friends.

She left behind her husband Ron and her dog, Star. I feel bad for them because it must be quite lonely and quiet without her in the house. Her presence was a lot and one that is surely missed. However, I know she was more than ready to move on. Her best days were well past her and she was not enjoying her physical ailments. So, while I'll miss her and many others will too. It feels better that she passed in peace with her kids and husband at her side than to suffer for more years. RIP mom.

Christopher Baccus '90

Barbara is survived by her husband, Ron Acosta '67, three children - Christopher Baccus '90, William Baccus '93, Michelle Baccus '02, and their families.