Barbara Elizabeth Hancock

Barbara Elizabeth Hancock, of Bellingham passed away peacefully on October 18, 2014 with her daughter by her side. She was born March 4, 1917 in Cordova, Alaska to Knute and Florence Nafsted. After graduating High School in Cordova she attended Stanford University in California. Barbara was a loving mother to her children Jon and Shelley. Barbara worked for many years as an executive assistant at San Jose Water Company and later at IBM. She also enjoyed working for the owner/developer of Old Town Los Gatos and then Cooper House in Santa Cruz. While in Santa Cruz, Barbara learned picture framing, and moved to Bellingham where she opened and operated Media Art, gallery/frame shop. Barbara was always active, teaching Sunday school at the Episcopal Church and running the Alaska Club, and even taught ESL to children in Bellingham. She was a creative, talented woman who enjoyed taking writing classes, painting and travelled extensively. She enjoyed sporting events, especially the San Francisco Giants. She was politically active and participated in the civil rights and peace movement.
Barbara was a strong, independent woman who was proud of her Norwegian and Finish heritage. She loved to have fun, laugh and kick up her heels. Barbara will be missed by her daughter Shelley Hancock, and grandchildren Logan Lynn and Nona Lynn, and her many friends. Special thanks to Sam and Donna Grubbs for their love and support to Barbara and her family.