Barbara was born in Santa Monica, California and then grew up in Pacific Palisades. She left what could have been an idyllic childhood to run away at 13 to seek adventure. She hitchhiked to San Francisco and joined a hippie commune. While there she learned auto mechanics on the street (she liked to hang out with guys who had cars).

Barbara Seranella died in Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. She was waiting for a Liver Transplant to cure her Liver disease. Her husband Ron Seranella and brother Dr. Larry Shore. She died peacefully on January 21, 2007, at 4:15 p.m. EST (1:15 p.m. PST).