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Barbara Bircher Obituary
Barbara L. Bircher, 79, of Spring, Texas, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2015. She was born in New Orleans, LA. on August 10, 1935 to Ledoux and Opal Loisel. She earned an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design and was an extremely talented artist and craftsmen. Barbara married Walter Bircher on February 12, 1955. They moved to Houston in July 1955 and started their married life together.
Barbara was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. At different times in her life, Barbara served as a volunteer at the Northwest YMCA, HISD and Memorial Northwest Hospital. Barbara loved to read, travel, work crossword puzzles, garden and go to the movies. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Wally Bircher; her children, Cary and wife Bridget, Tim and wife Pat, Paul and wife Judy, Beth, and Evan; granddaughters, Kim Moon and husband Brian, and Noelie Bircher; great grandsons, Thomas and Timothy Moon; sister, Gail Kemmerly; along with numerous other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death b y her sister, Arnell Eiswirth and granddaughter, Kelly Bircher.
Barbara will be dearly missed and will forever be in our hearts.
A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 10 am, Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Pat H. Foley & Company Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Bircher
May 2, 2015
Although I only got to visit with Barbara just a few times, it was always a delight to talk with her. It was special to see how her eyes lit up when she was speaking about her family, with so much love, joy and pride.
I liked hearing about the stained glass projects, visits to the Texas courthouses, all the other trips she took with Big Wally (the love of her life) and her classes on barbering. Big Wally, our whole family adores the beautiful, breathtaking photo of the two of you! It makes photos of Bogey and Bacall look homely.
I know she adored good movies and recall some great conversations about, "Giant" and her tour of the big house used in that film while visiting Marfa, TX. I have fond memories of having a Thanksgiving dinner at Evan's home here in Temple and tasting her especially delicious Merliton casserole. I had to check with Beth & Evan on the correct name of it.
Evan's kept us in stitches regarding some of his childhood anecdotes that involved all of you. Evan, if I haven't got them quite right, you can straighten me out the next time we talk. There's one where while upstairs, Barbara got so mad at Evan that she took off her house shoe to throw at him. Didn't it go sailing out the window and stay on the roof for quite a while? I was thrilled to hear about the time she gave Evan his first lesson, after football practice, on doing his own laundry (along with a bit of an attitude adjustment)!
I've lost count of how many injuries that Evan sustained as a kid, due to his propensity toward daredevil stunts. She was forever trying to patch him up to keep him in one piece, along with the rest of her kids, too. By the time she got all of you hooligans raised, she could probably have qualified as a trauma surgeon.
I also cherish the hilarious stories of Evan being ordered to sneak down to the kitchen for late night snacks for his older brothers (downstairs was totally taboo & off limits after 9 o'clock). Then promptly being caught red handed and instructed to march right back upstairs by Big Wally! Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! Aww, but you know that was all part of the training that made Evan the man he is today.
How about the time that Beth and Evan got the bright idea to help themselves to all the pencils that were on the back of the pews at church?? Watching Beth and Evan interact with each other, is incredibly entertaining. The two of you should have a reality TV show!!
There was another chapter in the lives of the Bircher family during some extremely rough weather, (was it a tornado or a hurricane?). This was where Big Wally cooly & calmly placed himself at the bottom of the stairs. He then proceeded to dispense directions, like a baseball coach, on where to go for safety, even though it seemed as if the house was going to come apart at the seams. I think Evan wound up going to sleep in a closet.
Ahhh and then there's the Bircher Hunting Club, we could stay there for hours. What an awesome, wholesome American tradition to keep a family together and bond for life. You guys surely need to write a book on those escapades. I never got around to asking Barbara, but was she really, really glad sometimes when y'all went away for a few days to your hunting leases? Maybe she got a little respite? :)
It was a high honor to know Barbara and she was a huge inspiration to me, as a wife, mother and grandmother. I cannot even begin to imagine how much work, love, patience and commitment it took to nurture her husband, children, grandchildren and great grand kids for all of those years. Just the constant cooking, cleaning and laundry seemed a daunting task, to me. But if we could ask her today, if she'd do it all over again, she'd reply "YES, OF COURSE" in a heartbeat!
Barbara or Babs was one of those extremely rare individuals that could be perfectly confident with anyone, anywhere, anytime in society, whether royalty, garbage collector, or anyone in between. In an instant, she could be either a sophisticated, genteel Southern Belle or an ole red neck gal that loves to get down and party. Whatever role was required at the time, she was up for it. She'll be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, but her legacy lives on in the twinkles of your eyes, smiles and hearts when you speak of her and remember her. Thanks for this opportunity to salute a woman, who was completely awesome, in every way humanly possible. Love, hugs and prayers -- Joe & Dell Rogers
May 1, 2015
Dear Wally, two of the things we will always remember about Barbara were when you first moved next door and wore jeans everyday, Barbara told you to get some "Manningtree" pants. The other and most endearing, was how she made our Houston grandchildren feel so special by giving them thoughtful gifts every Christmas, Easter and a few in between. She will be greatly missed by so many. Much love to the entire Bircher family. Madalyn & Bill Jones
David Shamlin
April 30, 2015
Evan, family and friends of Barbara, our deepest sympathies on your loss. Please know your friends, at CHRISTUS Health are praying for you at your time of mourning.
April 29, 2015
We express our deepest sympathy to all the Bircher family. We can see how she and Wally raised their children by knowing Paul. "Good people will be remembered as a blessing." Proverbs 10:7
Marti Huseman and everyone at Camp Logan Cement Works
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Cindy Batho
April 29, 2015
It's been almost 25 years since Barbara and I took a road trip to a party in the country. I have thought and do think about that day often. We've had few visits in the recent years but if only for a few minutes or a long discussion, we always just picked right up where we left the last time. Not a person who met Barbara was the same. Barbara will be greatly missed.
April 28, 2015
Wally: Our prayers are with you. Barbara will be missed and we always remember her and the etched glass window she gave us many years ago. Grover and Charlotte
April 28, 2015
Evan, Tom and I were so sorry to hear about your mother. We never got to meet
her but have no doubts that she was a wonderful person. Ginger and Tom Spry,SR.
Kristie Marino
April 28, 2015
Barbara was an amazing lady. I feel so privileged that I got to know her well enough to call her my friend. She always had a smile on her face and kind words for all she met. I will miss my friend.
PHYLLIS BIRCHER
April 28, 2015
Although Benny was an only child, we thought of Wally as a brother & Barbara has indeed been my sister-in-law. For years we've visited each other in our homes & the past few years met in Galveston.
We had so much fun together sharing great meals & talking about family.
I treasure our visits & will miss her tremendously.
The Kohler Family
April 27, 2015
I can still hear Barbara calling my name from across the street..."Hi Greg"...I will miss that and miss you Barbara. Such a wonderful neighbor over the years. Wally and The Bircher Family, we're so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Take comfort in knowing you now have a very special guardian angel watching over you.
Katie Spence & Family
April 27, 2015
Barbara was a wonderful person who always had a smile on her face. So kind, gentle and welcoming to all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Wally and her whole family. May God carry you through this difficult time and may you treasure your wonderful memories forever. RIP Barbara until we see you again.
Paula Wood
April 27, 2015
My heart goes out to all of the Birchers. Barbara will be missed by the many she touched through the years with her kindness and giving spirit. I remember how she loved going to Mardi Gras and looked forward to her dividend check to help finance the trip. She will be leading the parade into the kingdom of heaven this year.
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