Barbara Birk Jones

Barbara Birk Jones died Oct. 2 at her home in Santa Cruz. She was 73.

Birk Jones was born on March 8, 1940, to Madaline and Andrew Birk in Santa Barbara. During her teens, she loved riding horses in Hope Ranch and was an accomplished equestrian.

She attended Stevens College prior to starting her engineering career in the defense industry. She worked for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and GE, where she met her husband. They both worked on space telescopes.

Birk Jones is preceded in death by her parents, Madaline and Andrew Birk, and her brother, Andrew. She is survived by her husband, John Walker; her children, Aaron Jones and Nicole Batastini; and her brother, Lance Birk.

Per her wishes, the memorial service will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the Vajrasattva Foundation.