Barbara is survived by her son Stephen Thelin and wife Marlene; son Roy Thelin and wife Debbie; son Peter Thelin; daughter Pamela Thelin Ethier; daughter Sandra Thelin Lane and husband James; daughter Barbara Thelin Pierce; and daughter Laura Thelin Wilkett and husband K.P.. She is also survived by her grandchildren Michael Thelin, Joanna Terry Sarver, Tabitha Thelin Bradford, Laura Wedelich Pointer, Jeffrey Wedelich, David Wedelich, Keith Wedelich, Ronald Youngren, David Thelin, Chris Thelin, Michelle Ethier Jonas, Lorien Ethier Holman, Theodore Ethier, Aaron Ethier, John James Trowbridge, Anastasia Pierce, Malcolm Pierce Jr., Sean Pierce, Samantha Pierce Head, Casey Wilkett, C. Alexandre Wilkett, Tamara Wilkett Stillwell and their families, including numerous great-grandchildren; as well as siblings Sheila Lines, George Lines and wife Dorothy; and Alan Lines and wife Janet. Barbara left us to be reunited with her husband, Carl Thelin, daughter Tamera Jean Thelin, her parents, Oliver Lines and Mary Cripps Lines; her sisters Doreen Lines McCarthy and Frances Lines Payne; and her sons-in-law Ronald Ethier and Malcolm Pierce.
Barbara lived a very full life and leaves a lasting legacy. After growing up in Oxfordshire, England, She met and married her lifetime love, Carl Thelin. Barbara went on to raise seven children living all around the world with Carl during his Air Force career, including England, Michigan, Colorado, Japan, the Philippines, and Oklahoma.
She returned to Oklahoma with Carl when he retired from the Air Force, where they finished raising their younger daughters. Barbara studied alongside Carl for three years as he prepared to be ordained and serve as a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. The pair were active at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Del City, OK until moving to Garland, TX. They were then active at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson, TX, where Barbara was a member of the Women’s Guild. After a few years, Barbara and Carl returned to Oklahoma for a time, then moved back to Garland, where they remained.
Barbara was a fiery spirit with a generous, giving heart. She set an example of love, generosity, acceptance and faithfulness to her family and many others she encountered, in all walks of life. Barbara was that special lady who remembered to send a card to everyone for their birthday. She was the glue that held their very large family together, hosting numerous holidays, birthdays and other celebrations, plus many family dinners at their home. Barbara rarely liked to be in front of the camera, but she was an avid picture taker, making every effort to document countless memories. She will be deeply missed by her family and so many others.
A visitation for Barbara will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM at Sparkman Funeral Home Chapel, 1029 S. Greenville Ave, Richardson, TX 75081. A service of Christian burial will occur Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at 1029 S. Greenville Ave, Richardson, TX 75081. A graveside service will occur Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A burial will occur at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, Oklahoma 73115.
