Barbara Claire Manaugh was born in Columbus Ohio to Jacob Meyer and Blanche Stiefel Meyer on October 14, 1924, welcomed by an older brother, Allan. She was the apple of her father's eye, whom she idolized. Unfortunately, she lost her dad at only age 10; the sweet memory of him leaving an indelible mark upon her life. As a young girl, she spent much time with her grandmother, Clara Stiefel, who imparted a lifelong love of reading, cooking, and compassion for others.
At Bexley High School she was known for her musical talents, being selected as a solo vocalist at her graduation. After a brief stint at Ohio State University and in the middle of World War II, she married Richard T. Drukker, an attorney and lieutenant in the US Navy. At war's end, they moved west to Los Angeles, where Dick practiced law and they started a family. They traveled to Europe in 1958, a trip that ignited Barbara's interest in history, gourmet cooking and the arts. It prompted her to return to college, a journey that would take the next 10 years to complete. In 1968, she graduated from UCLA with honors; one of the proudest accomplishments of her life. Before Dick's death in 1971, they would build a home on a hill in Pacific Palisades that she would live in and love for the next 50 years.
Through a mutual friend, Barbara was introduced to fellow Palisadian, Carlisle Manaugh. They fell in love, discovering the greatest joys of life together. They shared a love of family, friends, food, travel, holiday decorating, dogs, gardening, dancing, and music and married in 1975. Barbara's family now also included Carlisle's three children, whom she treasured as her own. Carlisle and Barbara shared their love of a lifetime for nearly 20 years, until his passing in 1992.
Throughout her life, Barbara indulged her artistic side. From classes at Rustic Canyon Park, she became a prolific potter and silversmith, known for her free-form and whimsical designs. Well into her 90's, she painted and colored, with great concentration and creativity. She was also active in the community, leading numerous efforts on behalf of the Pacific Palisades Historical Society, the Pacific Palisades Woman's Club, the Aldersgate Retreat Center, the Pacific Palisades Library, and the Pacific Palisades Methodist Church (including its “OK Room Sewing Group). She helped to establish the Los Liones park, another proud example of her tenacity and leadership.
Above all, Barbara loved her family, which includes her six children and their spouses who survive her, Bill and Donna Drukker, Janet and Chee Gong, Michael and Carrie Manaugh, Carla Orellana and Dwight Bunn, Molly Manaugh and Max Hoberg and Mats Sommestad, her five grandchildren and their spouses, David and Heather Drukker, Colin and Amanda Drukker, Kristen Gong and Lorin Scher. Kathleen Gong and Brett Walker and Orion and Saglara Orellana, , her seven great grandchildren, Kelly, Rachel, Allison, Jordana, Amelia, Nathaniel and Finn, her niece Susan and her nephew, Jack.
She was a woman of undaunted beliefs in the power of kindness, compassion, charity, curiosity, humor, social justice and love. And her example continues to inspire all those that she touched with her light.
A Celebration of Life will be held when pandemic restrictions allow. Until then, memorial gifts may be made to any of Barbara's favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Redwoods League, the Pacific Palisades Methodist Church and the Pacific Palisades Historical Society.
