Barbara Jean Brigham passed away in Bonney Lake, WA on June 23, 2024 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Chuck Brigham, and by her grandson, Tyler Madden.
She was born June 16, 1931 in Iowa, the third of five children to George and Anna Margaret Gates.
Barbara moved to Auburn Washington with her family while still in high school. She graduated from Auburn High School and went on to work as a nursing assistant at the Auburn hospital.
Barbara married Charles Robert Brigham (Chuck) on March 28, 1953. Together they had 4 children, Merilee, Melanie, Wes & Marjean.
Besides being busy with 4 children and all their activities, Barbara enjoyed arts & crafts. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing a majority of her children’s clothes and later wedding dresses for Merilee & Melanie. She tried her hand at cake decorating, candle making, tole painting, and knitting. She also enjoyed cross-stitch, quilting and later, ceramics.
Barbara loved getting together with family and took special joy in her children and grandchildren. She would always have cookies, brownies or some special treat ready whenever family visited.
Barbara and Chuck spent many of their retirement years as “Snowbirds” in Mesa, Arizona in the fall and winter months. In Mesa, Barbara joined a ceramics group and made many beautiful ceramic pieces as well as lifelong friendships. In the later spring and summer months, Barbara and Chuck lived in the family cabin on Guemes Island where they enjoyed clamming and crabbing.
Even in the last year when she was mostly confined to bed, Barbara kept up with what everyone in the family was doing. She had an amazing memory of who was doing what and loved to get the details and see photos of events or trips, etc.
Barbara is survived by her sister Harriet Marshall, brother Bob Gates, children, Merilee Brigham (John Schneider), Melanie Madden (Tim) Wes Brigham (Jin), Marjean Hegg (Dale), 9 grandchildren and one great grandson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday August 10th at 1pm at the Buckley Community Presbyterian Church.
*Memorials may be made to Buckley Community Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.