She was born in Kearney, Nebr. to Elmer R. and Emma E. Gillespie. They moved to Greeley in 1943 where she attended school, including two years at Colorado College (now UNC).
On Sept. 10, 1953 she married Max D. Richardson (deceased 1974). They had four children Marc, Kristi, Jeff and Lori. She was a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother and a Room Mother for her children’s classes while she also worked fulltime.
Barbara managed books and was a secretary/receptionist for Wickland Motors, Greeley Producers and Duncan McKee Cattle Company. She and Max also owned the Mode O Day in downtown Greeley, a women’s apparel shop. She retired and moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz. to be near her sisters and a special friend Bill Mingus in 1991. She enjoyed playing Bridge, attending Dinner Theatre, travel, and spending time with friends and family.
She married Marshall Danto in 1998 (deceased 2008) in Sun Lakes.
She is survived by one sister, Genie Orth, Sun City, Ariz.; her four children Marc Richardson; Kristi (Richard) Helzer; Jeff (Laura) Richardson; and Lori (David) Krause all of Greeley. Nine grandchildren Nicholas and Patrick Richardson; Joey Helzer; Shelby Krause; Hannah, McKenzie and Madison Richardson all of Greeley; Ben Helzer of Fayette, Maine; Kelsey (Mark Behrmann) Krause of Albuquerque, N.M.; and two great grandsons Lucus and Isaiah Richardson of Greeley.
Stepdaughter Wendy (Larry) Rogers of Chandler, Ariz.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Helen Watkins, Margaret Lamoreaux, brothers Morris and Elmer (Junior) Gillespie and husbands Max and Marshall.
It was Barb’s wish to follow the example of her deceased siblings and donate her body to Science Care. A Celebration of her Life will occur later this summer when her ashes are returned.
Memorial gifts may be sent in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634 to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or the Weld Food Bank all selected by her grandchildren’s to honor their Grandmother’s memory. Condolences may be shared by going to www.stoddardsunset.com to sign the online guest book.
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