Barbara DeWall

Barbara Jean Veazey DeWall, 62, of Avondale, AZ was killed on December 4, 2023 in a car accident on her commute to work. She was born January 30, 1961 in Boston, Massachusetts, the third daughter of Carol Newman Corwin and William Manfred Veazey. She grew up in West Acton, Mass. and graduated North Andover High school class of 1979.

Barbara had two sons, Kyle and Douglas, with her first husband, Larry Herman, whom she met while attending the University of New Hampshire. Her studies were put on hold while she raised her children and moved around the country as part of an Air Force family. Eventually, she settled back in New England and returned to college, graduating from UNH with a BA in Psychology in 1996.

In 1999, Barbara fell head-over-heels in love with Scott Arlen DeWall of Seattle, WA, and they would marry in 2000. She gained four more kids in the union, Kattie, Karrie, Quinton and Cooper, all of whom she loved very much. In 2003, Scott and Barb moved to Avondale, AZ, where they turned their desert home into a sanctuary, welcoming many friends and family members for holidays and tranquil getaways over the years. She loved being a mom and Nana to her grandkids, always offering overwhelming support, fueling curiosity, and cultivating creativity within them all.

Barbara and Scott were excellent travel companions, taking adventurous road trips full of unique, weird, and wonderful experiences Scott mapped out for them. Lately, they were regularly making 50+ mile treks together on their bicycles. They shared a love for midcentury modern architecture and rare vintage finds, quirky southwestern towns, and learning about the natural and historical phenomenon that forged their surroundings.

In her career, she ultimately became the Assistant Director of Business Services at the Avondale Elementary School District Governing Board. She was a beloved mentor and collaborator at the office and created enriching learning environments for the children of Arizona, volunteering to read to them and helping to build a truly impressive educational escape room for them to enjoy.

Barbara was a talented artist, drawing accurate portraits or schematics of anything she wished to depict. She designed and painted murals throughout her living spaces, created and maintained an epic backyard garden, and made soft, cozy quilts for loved ones. An avid puzzler, she would complete hundreds of crosswords a year and loved playing table-top games at the coffee shop with Scott.

Her memory was enviable. She could recall anyone’s birthday and life story even if she’d only met them in passing, she could perfectly recite verses from Frost or Shakespeare whenever the moment arose, and she was quick to recall a fable, proverb, or joke. She took thoughtfulness to the next level and, as if by magic, would have a thank you card sent to you before you left her door. She was gracious, attentive, and couldn’t help but go out of her way to make you feel seen and taken care of.

She was a practitioner of Taoist philosophy and tai chi, both of which fueled her spiritual and practical disposition. She understood how to bring purpose to each day and each endeavor, and was gifted in her ability to transmit these attitudes to those around her. Barbara and her radiance will be missed dearly. In parting, she would often wish “Peace, Contentment, Clarity, and Joy” to those she loved, and we extend this invocation to you and hope it resonates.

She is survived by her husband, Scott DeWall of Avondale, AZ; her kids Kyle (Meg) Herman of Middleton, RI, Douglas (Kelsey Harris) Herman of Los Angeles, CA, Kattie Jones (Danielle Ness) of Seattle, WA, Karrie (Steve) Kelly of Seattle, WA, Quinton (Chantel) DeWall of Hampstead, NC, and Cooper (DeWall) Skunkcap of Seattle, WA; her stepmom Julie Veazey of Portsmouth, NH; her siblings Lynn (Nate) Rockwell of Chester, NH, Dawn (Marc) Seward of Nashua, NH, Scott (Kimberly) Corwin of East Greenwich, RI, Julie (Ari) Alexenberg of Portsmouth, NH, Shary Stevens (Bobby Meek) of Portsmouth, NH, Ralph “Stevie” (Lena) Stevens of Fairfield, CT and New York, NY; her sisters-in-law Debra (Barry) Hubert of Bella Vista, AR and Holly (Jeff) Peterson of Sun City, AZ; her aunts and uncles Ellie (Sam) Starfas of Santa Barbara, CA, Don (Jill) Newman of Charlestown, MA, and Jack Paarlberg of St. Augustine, FL; her grandkids Mahayla and Kellah Jones, Stella Ness, and Rhett and Cameron Kelly; her best friend of 36 years Kerri Erwin of Seattle, WA; and many more beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, coworkers, and friends.

She is predeceased by her sister, Catherine Ellen Veazey.

Services in both Arizona and New Hampshire are being planned for later dates.