I love to travel, and if you are reading this, then I have embarked on my final journey.
I was born in 1928 in my grandmother’s farmhouse in the beautiful Meadows Valley of Idaho. I only weighed in at 3 pounds but, with loving care from my family, I thrived and lived to the ripe old age of 96.
At age 3 my parents, Miles and Dorothy Irwin Becker, moved to Grangeville. I lived there until I graduated from Grangeville High School, class of 1946.
When I was a child, I spent summers in the Meadows Valley with my beloved grandmother Leota Becker on her ranch, riding horses and helping her with the chores almost every day. The valley was irrigated by small canals originating from Goose Creek and its tributaries. I was fascinated by the small fish and amphibians that made their homes there.
I married Dale B. McHugh on Aug. 26, 1946, and we started a life adventure together that lasted until he died in 2002. I was a war bride for several years while he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
Dale and I were blessed with seven children: five girls and two boys, whom we raised on the Blue Camas Prairie and in Moscow.
My favorite things to do were swimming, crocheting and spending time with my family; also, collecting antique fine china and glassware as well as picking huckleberries.
I was employed by First Security Bank of Idaho in both Grangeville and Moscow and worked my way up into management. I retired in 1990 and have been enjoying retirement ever since.
After Dale died, I moved to Spokane to be near my son Pat and his wife, Kass. Spokane was also more convenient for traveling to visit my other children who, by then, were well dispersed across the country.
In 2013, my daughter Megan moved to Spokane to help me so that I could remain in my own home as age started catching up with me. She has been an absolute blessing these last 11 years. She took excellent care of me and I loved her fine cooking.
My travel bucket list included trips to many states as well as the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Denmark and Italy. The highlight was a trip to Rome during which I personally met and was blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II. If I had one more trip to make it would have been to Egypt or the Holy Land.
I am survived by my sister Bonita (Roger) Becker. My seven children: Miki (Rick) Finken, Pat (Kass) McHugh, Molly (Chuck) Gunning, Danny McHugh, Monica (Jim) Greensides, Megan McHugh and Peggy (Jay) Jones. I am also survived by 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Now that I am gone, I don’t want you to be sad, I want you to celebrate my life. I lived a wonderful life with many amazing adventures and now I am on the best one of all.
Barbara passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 28, in Spokane, with Hennessey Funeral Home of Spokane in charge of arrangements.
