passed away peacefully in her home, attended by family, on March 13,
2021 after a devastating battle with Alzheimers.
Throughout her life she resided in many places, but considered her
childhood home Albert Lea Minnesota where she spent most of her
formative years. She graduated from Clover Park High School in
Lakewood Washington in 1974. She then pursued a degree in
education, graduating from Central Washington University in 1979.
Her teaching career began in the field of special education in 1982.
She retired in 2015 from Tumwater Middle School after 17 years. She
gained many lifelong friends throughout her career and undoubtedly
changed the lives of many of her students and their families with her
compassion and advocacy.
As a teen and young adult Barbara spent many summers as a Christian
camp counselor at Camp of the Holy Spirit and Camp Houston. These
were some of her most beloved places. It was here where she began
a deep connection with the Lord, singing His praise among nature
alongside loved ones. Anyone who knew Barb knows of the deep love
she had for this time in her life, and for the friends that became family
along the way. Many of her closest, lifelong friendships began at
camp.
In 1984 she settled in DuPont where she had her three adoring
children - Emily, Kathleen and Patrick. Her children will remember her
as the strongest, kindest, and most loving woman on the face of the
Earth. She was and will always be their most important role model.
She taught them compassion, resilience, and grace. Her children
believe they had the most unbelievable mother, and are honored to
carry on her legacy.
While raising her children she remained active in DuPont civic life,
including volunteering for many years at the Historical Society
Museum. Bob often mused that you might take Barb out of DuPont,
but you could never take DuPont out of Barb.
She ensured her children always had a stable and loving home
environment. She kept an “open door-policy” for all of their friends
and neighbors who were always greeted with a smile, likely a plate of
spaghetti and garlic bread, and warm and loving conversation.
Barbara had a love for every person and their individualities.
She loved sports, and was a huge fan of the Seattle Mariners and the
Super Sonics. She loved animals (especially golden retrievers), being
outside, doing yard work, and taking walks in the greenbelt of
DuPont. She was always delighted to engage in intelligent
conversation around politics and history. On her summer break you
could find her in the backyard reading her favorite books and basking
in the sunshine, or taking her kids on a treasured family vacation.
She married her truest love Bob Lester in 2011 and moved to
Olympia. Bob and she were able to travel a bit and enjoy married life
for a few years before her diagnosis. Barb was such a good sport in
supporting Bob’s passion for flying, she even stepped out of her
comfort zone and took flight with him on several trips. He truly
completed her, his unconditional kindness matching hers. Bob stayed
by her side until the end of her life, something we know she found
comfort in every day.
Her faith in God was never rocked by hardship, a trait of hers that is
admired by many. As hard as it was to have her life end in this slow
and painful fashion, we know that she truly held faith and trust in God
for her and her family. She is survived and deeply missed by her
husband Bob Lester, her children, granddaughters Lola (5) and
Sydney (3), and her siblings Mark, Doug and Wendy. She is also
survived by hundreds of neighbors and friends, many of whom she
considered family.
A Memorial for her will be held on May 8, 2021 at the Community
Presbyterian Church of DuPont at 11am.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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