Barbara Jean Sinkula

Barbara Sinkula, age 59, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on November 19, 2020 after a year-long struggle with brain cancer.

She was born in St. Clair Shores, MI and grew up spending time at the family cottage on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario. She graduated from Oberlin College with degrees in Cello Performance and Biology. Following her undergraduate degree, she spent two years in China teaching English through Oberlin’s Shansi program. Barbara received her doctorate in Civil Engineering at Stanford University and published a book on Chinese Environmental Policy based on her dissertation research. She worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory in a variety of roles from 1993 until her retirement in 2018.

Barbara was passionate about cello, beekeeping, and travel. She participated in the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra and the New Mexico Beekeepers Association. She is remembered fondly for her creativity, cooking skills, kindness, and intelligence.

She is survived by her daughter Darcy Turin and her son Karl Sinkula of Los Alamos, her sister Ruth Schmidt of Arlington, VA, and many friends across the country. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Girls Inc. of Santa Fe or another charity of your choice.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, Barbara's funeral services will be private and for immediate family only. Barbara's family has entrusted her care to Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations of Los Alamos.