Barbara Woods Penhallegon

Barbara Woods Penhallegon March 18, 1925 – June 30, 2012 Barbara passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family at the age of 87. Barbara was born to Earl John Woods III and Florence Anshutz Woods. She was born in Potlatch, ID, and the oldest of six children. She had many fond memories growing up in a small company owned town. Barbara graduated from Walla Walla High School, Walla Walla, WA in 1943. She attended Eastern Washington College where she met her husband, William James Penhallegon. She and Bill moved to Waterville, WA in 1949 after graduation, then to Wenatchee, WA in 1953, where they made their home for 48 years. In November, 2002, they moved to Grand Junction, CO to be near their daughter, Jane. Barbara was very active in the YWCA in Wenatchee. She was on the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She worked for many years on estate sales and working wardrobe. She was awarded Woman of the Year in 2002. She was very active with Republican Women from an early age and continued to be very politically minded until the end. Her goal was to live long enough to vote... a 'Romney Believe in America' bumper sticker was proudly displayed on her hospital bed! She was a member of PEO since 1987, chapter LP in Wenatchee, and then Chapter DY in Grand Junction. Her PEO Sisters meant the world to her. Barbara was an avid reader, she loved to garden, play bridge, golf and skied into her early 70's. She and Bill had a summer home on Lake Chelan in Washington for many years. They would move up in late May and would come back home in September. The cabin on the lake became the symbol of family, friends and the spot of many a reunion. Barbara is survived by what she termed, "her proudest accomplishments", her two children, son, Mike and his wife, Jo Penhallegon of Treasure Island, FL, and daughter, Jane Scott and Barry Sullivan of Grand Junction; her beloved grandchildren, Sarah Penhallegon of Treasure Island, FL; Sean (Janaya) Penhallegon of Ft. Bragg, NC; Joel Scott of Gunnison, CO, and Jennifer Scott of Chicago, IL, and her two precious great-grandchildren, Zoey and Caden Penhallegon, Ft. Bragg, NC. She is also survived by her three brothers, Jack (Leona); Charles (Barbara), and Richard (Marilyn), and many nieces and nephews of Lewiston, ID; her brother-in-law, Dick Penhallegon of Wenatchee, WA; her niece, Jill; nephews, Phil and Wally and their families and her faithful little Schnauzer, Gracie. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Bill; her parents, and her two sisters, Lois and Marion. During her battle with cancer, she never lost her courage, grace or her faith in God. She would wake up in the morning and say, "It's going to be a good day". Throughout her life she was an inspiration to those who knew her, an incredible parent and role model to her family. Her values, morals, sense of humor, concern for others and her sweet spirit will remain with us forever. Mike and Jane would like to thank all of the family and friends who journeyed to Grand Junction and called from afar to say their final good-byes to mom. Thank you to mom's wonderful PEO Sisters for all of their kind acts and thoughts, to Wally and Jackie for their kind and loving care of mom and the the incredible Hospice Team, Mary, Hannah, and Bobbie, who helped mom pass with grace and dignity. A memorial to honor Barbara's life will be held on Saturday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. We will hold this memorial at 515 South Broadway, in what mom termed "her little piece of heaven on earth", her backyard, that she and her grandson, Joel, so lovingly planted. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B North 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506.