Barbara Anne Wagner

Barbara was born in Sedro-Woolley, Washington on November 10, 1934, the youngest of three girls born to Frank and Edith Saville. They later moved to Kelso, Washington, where she graduated from Kelso High School in 1952. During her senior year, she entered a contest to win a scholarship to the Seattle Dental Assistants Training School, and was thrilled when her essay was selected as the winner. She worked as a dental assistant in Longview until 1954, when she married the love of her life, Norman Wagner. Norman was a student at the University of Washington, so she moved to Seattle and worked as a bookkeeper at the Applied Physics Lab at the university. After completing his Master’s Degree, he was offered a position at the University of Texas in Austin, so in January 1956 they packed up and moved across the country, away from all of their friends and family, to start their new adventure. In June 1956 they welcomed their daughter Cheryl into the family.

In 1963, Norman was encouraged by UT to complete his PhD. Given a choice between going to Michigan or Hawaii, they opted for three amazing years in Hawaii. In 1966, they moved back to Austin where Norman continued his teaching career at UT. In May of 1967, their daughter Wendy joined the family.

Barbara was always very active, both socially and physically. When they moved to Austin, she immediately joined the University Ladies Club; this year marks 68 years of membership. She made many lifelong friends through ULC. She participated in their bowling league for many years, and in the mid 1970’s, she and her friend Edna won the city doubles championship three years in a row. She also played volleyball for many years, and was still playing tennis twice a week until COVID came along and disbanded their group. She watched Longhorn sports faithfully, especially volleyball and football. She was an avid card player. As young adults, she and Norman played bridge regularly. In recent years, Barbara and Cheryl would be known to play “hand and foot” for hours at a time. She also enjoyed playing gin rummy with her friend Helen. She worked the crossword puzzle in the newspaper every day to keep her mind sharp.

She was extremely proud of the 16 years that she volunteered as a docent at the LBJ Library, donating more than 2000 hours of her time. She met so many fascinating people, including Lady Bird Johnson and Prince Charles. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge about the exhibits, and also loved getting acquainted with the visitors who came from all over the world.

In 1988, she was thrilled to welcome her first grandchild and immediately joined the “Grandmother’s Delight” club. In 1991, things got even better when a second granddaughter joined the family. She loved being a grandma, and was so proud of everything her grandkids did (even when Melissa chose to attend Texas A&M University!). She was equally excited to be a great-grandmother, and became known as “GiGi” because “Great Grandma Wagner” was just too much of a mouthful.

When Norman retired from his teaching career in 1992, they started many years of traveling the world together. They crisscrossed the country attending National Garden Club conventions and exploring bed & breakfast inns. They went on several group tours, where she met her good friend Myra, affectionately known as “BB” (best bud). They also enjoyed several cruises, and explored countries including Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Panama, and Costa Rica. One of their highlights was snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Their marriage set a great example for their daughters. It was a wonderful partnership, so full of love and respect for each other. Norman passed away about two months before their 65th anniversary. We are comforted by the thought that they are together again.

Barbara was predeceased by her daughter Wendy, husband Norman, and sisters Dorothy Muzzy and Mary Salberg. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Rugeley (Rob) and son-in-law Kenneth Finch; grandchildren Rachel Russo (Joe), Melissa Sisson (Jacob), Alexis Finch (Fernando Montoya) and Cole Finch; and great-grandchildren Callahan and Caylee Russo, Miles Sisson, and Simone, Harvey and Laurenzo Montoya.

We would like to thank Hospice Austin and Heavenly Care for their support and compassionate care during her final weeks.

She supported several organizations that help those in need, including Habitat for Humanity and Central Texas Food Bank. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider making a donation in her memory to one of these groups.

The family will host a celebration of Barbara’s life at 2 pm on June 12, 2024 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home (6100 N. Lamar).