Barbara Irene Cappa

On December 6, 2023, we said goodbye to Barbara Cappa – fearless founder, industry trailblazer, and beloved mother, grandmother, and friend.

In 1979, Barbara’s entrepreneurial drive led to the creation of Cappa & Graham, Inc. (Terramar Northern CA’s predecessor). Alongside co-founder Patricia Graham, she built the SF Bay Area’s premier destination management company from a spare bedroom in her home. The business moved to its permanent location at San Francisco’s Pier 50 in 1980, and by 1986, C&G was named “Woman-Owned Business of the Year” by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce – a full-circle moment for its pioneering founders, whose small business loan wasn’t approved until Barbara’s husband agreed to co-sign. Despite early hurdles, Barbara wasn’t one to believe in limits and her hands-on leadership and indomitable spirit earned the company recognition from the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and Special Events Magazine.

Her son-in-law, Gordon Thompson, remembers her as the sort of person who turned heads when she entered a room and drew people in with her positive energy.

“I always referred to her as the Unsinkable Barbara Cappa. She was one of my favorite people, and I really liked her from the moment I met her,” he shares. “Her special skill was the ability to put people at ease and to identify the bright side of events.

For all her adventures and accomplishments, Barbara’s family knows her favorite place was anywhere she could be surrounded by loved ones.

Barbara is survived by her partner Lou, son Mike and will be missed by many more.

To read more about Barbara Cappa, visit our blog.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Linda Thompson Memorial Scholarship.