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Barbara McPherson Obituary
Wright McPherson
Barbara, 90, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Sunrise Adult Family Home.
She was born March 21, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan to Edward and Marguerite (Cray) Wright. Barbara graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1937, Smith College in 1941 and received her Master degree in Latin in 1943 from Yale, supporting herself by teaching Latin at a private school. In 1944 she enlisted as a Navy Wave and served until 1947, when she married John Burton McPherson, October 18, 1947 in Grosse Point, MI. As a Navy wife, she lived in many places.
The family moved to Tempo Lake in 1966, Barbara continued to be a full-time mother and part-time water safety instructor. Barbara loved to be in or on the water, swimming and canoeing. She was Waterfront Director at Camp Kennydell and taught swimming to two generations of neighbors' children on Tempo Lake.
Barbara is survived by her daughters Elspeth McPherson Christianson and Heather Ann McPherson; and three grandchildren, Caitlin Aase Christianson, Knut Andrew Christianson and Olav Iain Christianson.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to:
Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Attn: Camperships, 601 Valley St, Seattle, WA., 98109.
A Memorial service will be held April 29, 2011 6:00 p.m., at Laura Sommers Lake House, 4117 116th Avenue SE, Olympia. The memorial service will be casual with a buffet to follow. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Lacey, WA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara McPherson
1 Entry
Brent Conklin
April 27, 2011
Mrs. McPherson was AMAZING! She taught a bunch of 12-13 year old boys how to swim with skill without ever getting out of her canoe! At 8 AM! In a cold lake! Thank you Mrs. McPherson!
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