on rations, and her father was on a Naval ship in the Pacific theater serving his country through World
War II from Pearl Harbor to the signing of the treaty ending the war in Tokyo Bay. Glenn Yotter, like so
many others at the time, anxiously awaiting word that his first child had been born. Barb was born in
Denver, Colorado and grew up in a cabin on her grandparent's piece of land in Wheat Ridge and, along
with her Mommy, aunts and cousins, waited for the day when her Daddy would make it home from the
war and they could be a family, at last.
Her father, Glenn, did make it home from the war and he and his bride, Naomi, started their life
together in a little house on south Knox Court where they lived until both had passed away. Glenn in
1978 and Naomi in 2000. Eventually, the two added three more little girls, Teresa, Gloria and Marilyn,
to their family. Barb was always extremely responsible and loved mothering her little sisters. She was
also extremely close to her cousins, Betty, Donna, Tommy and Cheryl as they had all lived and played
together for so long. The cousins have remained extremely close their entire lives.
Barb attended and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver where she met her future
husband, John Ernest Woodward. They were married in 1965 and started their lives in the Harvey Park
neighborhood with their puppy, Annie. Eventually, they had three children, Michael, Jill and Lisa. Over
the years, because of John and Barb's boundless love and service to their church and community, so
many others called them “Mom and Dad” that it would difficult to name them all. Her nine
grandchildren were, by far, the greatest joy of her life. She loved babies and doted on each of them with
a sparkle in her eye and smile on her face. She was never able to meet her great-grand baby, Emmit but
there is absolutely no doubt, he has the two very best guardian angels watching out for him in his great
grandparents, John and Barb.
Barb was very independent and capable and left home at eighteen years to make a way for herself in
the world. She found a job with the telephone company and a little apartment for herself. While at the
telephone company, she found her best, forever friend, Loreen Thompson. The two remained as close
as sisters through their entire life and their kids grew up together with the closeness of actual siblings.
They were often both the life of every party and certainly, they giggled harder and louder than most
people are capable. It was infectious and there are certainly many many great memories those two
ladies are part of.
Barbara loved to love and take care of people. If anyone she met ever had a need, she would fill it and
expected nothing in return. Many times, if you tried to refuse something, she would warn you not to
“mess with her harvest”. She firmly believed that whatever she sowed into the lives of others would be
returned to her a thousand-fold. And she was never shy about her belief in that. Barbara lovingly took
care of John's dad, Ed, in her home after he was unable to live alone any longer, nursing him through
some very hard circumstances until he passed away. She also poured her life into her mom, Naomi, as
she fought for her life against cancer. She took care of her great-aunt, Dorothy, who was blind and was
able to allow Dorothy to live her life out in her own home in Wash Park. She adopted all the little old
ladies at Garden Home Church as well. Every Wednesday, she would load Grandma Ruth, Grandma
Rickey and Esther Vosler in the car and take them for groceries, to get their hair done, and go to lunch.
She balanced checkbooks, paid bills, ran errands, had them over for dinner and often, took care of their
personal business after she had held their hands as they walked into heaven at the end of their lives.
Barbara was enormously talented and used her time and talents to serve and bless others. While still a
young woman, she became an accomplished accordion player, winning several trophies and always
blessing others with her gift for music. She played at church and at several nursing homes just to see
the smiles her music would inevitably produce. She also was incredibly accomplished at any craft that
involved a needle, yarn, embroidery thread and beads. She made a point of cross-stitching gifts for
graduations, weddings, babies and any other occasion in the lives of her friends and family. She also
knitted or crocheted blankets for all her children and her grand babies that are all treasured keepsakes.
She also enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens. Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans and beets.
Iris, clematis, peonies and roses. All seemed to find their way around the neighborhood or among
church friends as she never hesitated to share the bounty she enjoyed.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Barb left in this life was her profound belief in Jesus Christ and His
promise to His children here on earth. Her faith saturated every stitch of her life. She was never, ever
afraid to share her happiness in Christ and gave of herself for the good of anyone who needed whatever
they needed from her. She was a faithful servant in every church she a was a part of. She served as
bookkeeper, bulletin-writer, potluck gathering planner, small group leader, mentor, Bible study teacher,
fervent worshiper and unceasing prayer warrior. When Barb prayed with you or over you, it was with
great compassion, great courage and absolute faith that God was faithful, no matter the question or the
answer. She had a nickname around her home. She was not only Mom, Barbie or Grandma, she was
“Bible Barb”. This she earned from her kids as they never knew her to make a single decision or look
for any other answer in life than what the Bible promised. She knew that Book inside and out and she
fervently lived her life by its commandments in humility and service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. It was never fake or forced or hypocritical. God said it. She believed it. That settled it. And that
is how she lived her life. With no apology.
Barbara passed away on May 30, 2020, at Willowbrook Place, her home for the last six years as she
battled the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease on her mind and body. She is preceded in death
by her husband, John who passed away suddenly in 2018, something she was not even capable of
understanding. She also meets her Daddy, Mommy and her beloved little sister, Terry who have gone
on before. She is survived by her children, Michael and Louann Woodward, Jill Woodward Maheu and
David and Lisa Peeples. She also has two remaining sisters, Gloria Horton and Marilyn and Jerry
Peters. Along with her children and sisters, she leaves behind her loving grandchildren, Heather and
Tyler Couturier, Jonathan and Madeleine Kleppinger, Luke Woodward, JC Maheu, Jeffrey Maheu,
Emily Woodward, Nathan Peeples, Christopher Peeples and Kristin Maheu, along with one greatgrandchild,Emmit Reese Couturier, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends
who all love her deeply.
This strong, bold servant of Christ had suffered for far too long, lost too much of herself, her mind and
her personality. It was difficult for those who loved and depended on her for so long, to sit helplessly
by and watch her leave us a little at a time. It is indeed difficult to understand or come to terms with the
questions that seem unanswerable at this time. We who knew Barb, know that she would never
question her position or God's plan for her life. Even this one. To quote one of her many unforgettable
sayings, “I am far from death. I am full of life. I've never heard God say 'Oops' yet.” She went quietly
and peacefully with her kids in her room, holding her hands as she crossed the River Jordan straight
into the arms of her loving God and those who have gone on before. There was, no doubt, anything but
quietness on the other side of the River as she danced, giggled and praised her way into her heavenly
home to receive her vast, well-deserved reward laid up and waiting for her in eternity.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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