8/19/1936 – 3/20/2011
Barbara Louise Skinner of Bellingham passed away on March 20, 2011 in Bellingham, WA.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 19, 1936 to Robert and Wilhelmina “Billie” Adam, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, enthusiastic about every aspect of her life. We will miss her energetic spirit and enthusiasm for life, her smiles and hugs, her love of conversation, her contrarian viewpoint, her love of the natural world and her love of music, especially while singing and playing the piano, her love of literature, and the beautiful touch she added to her surroundings. An accomplished pianist, she studied music at Northwestern University in Chicago and earned her degree at University of Minnesota in English as a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.
Barbara supported her family’s ambitions by moving cross-country to relocate in the northwest and to help build the family’s home of 38 years in Everson, WA. Always active in the community, Barbara served with the League of Women Voters, the Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority, and 18 years as manager of the Everson McBeath Library for the Whatcom County Library System. She was also an involved supporter of the Everson Garden Club, 4H, local book clubs, Friends of the Library and their fundraising efforts, and initiated a speaker series through the Everson Library. She has supported and encouraged all those that have been a part of her life.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 52 years, Harrison, daughter Susan Brown of Woodinville, WA (Clayton), son Michael Skinner of Seattle, WA (Judy Lin), and daughter Stephanie Skinner of Bellingham, WA (Brian O’Neill), grandchildren Cody & Jesse Brown and Shayla & Maya Skinner, sisters Gayle Craig (Leavenworth, WA), Mary Jane Nelson (Lutsen, MN) and brother Bob Adam (Bonita Springs, FL).
The Friends of the Everson Library and the family of Barbara Skinner invite you to a celebration of Barbara’s life that will be held at the Everson McBeath Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, Everson, WA, 98247, on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 2:00pm.