Barbara Ann Ebsworth

Barbara Ann Ebsworth was born on November 29, 1923, the middle of 3 children, on Thanksgiving Day, on the family farm in Kennewick to Robert and Erma Susie (Purdy) Perkins; she passed away July 11, 2025 in Burlington, WA.
She attended Riverview High school where she was graduated valedictorian in 1941 and received a scholarship to Willamette University in OR, though her college education was cut short after the attack on Pearl Harbor when she transferring to Sacred Heart School of Nursing, in Spokane to train as a Nurse Cadet.
At a USO dance at Geiger Field, near Spokane, she met a handsome Army soldier, Charles Ebsworth. They became engaged before he returned to service in the South Pacific.
She graduated in 1945, as an RN Army Nurse Cadet and married after Charles’ discharge from service.
They made their first home in Ohio, where they added 2 children to their family and where they built a home. After 10 years they relocated to Seattle to be closer to her family where they resided for 63 years.
Barbara worked as an RN at Ballard, Stevens and Northwest Hospitals in Seattle and later as an office nurse in Ballard. She loved being a nurse, but as a change of pace, she also briefly worked as a secretary at Boeing. She enjoyed dressing the part and supervising a secretarial pool.
Barb was always up-beat, outgoing, enjoying people, parties and loved dressing up to go out and dancing. She seemed to never forget a face or a name. People usually remembered her, as well. While Charles was reserved and quiet, Barb was outgoing and wanted to be busy and was gregarious. She was the best of conversationalists. She was always an advocate for her family and friends. She loved being part of her grandchildrens’ lives.
Before she bought her used 1950 Ford, she would bus to work. In her later years she proudly drove a huge, finned convertible and then an red Olds-88 she confidently drove into her 80’s. She later replaced it with the Cadillac she’d always wanted.
Her hobbies included bridge, golf and dancing. She played the organ, having played piano since she was a child. She was also a member of the DAR through her Perkins family which was traced back into Colonial North Carolina. She also enjoyed international travel with her husband, visiting Africa, Peru, England, Japan, The Philippines, Australia and Mexico.
After retirement, Charles and Barbara were Snow Birds, driving their trailer to Arizona where they enjoyed dry winters, sunshine and square dancing. They also trailered around the entire circumference of the US, visiting friends and family along the route.
She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, and her brother Robert. She is survived by her brother Col (ret) John (Marka) Perkins, her children Dr. C. Fred (Dianne) Ebsworth and Claudia (Blaine McCoy), 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Where the Heart Is and Hospice for their compassionate care over the past years.
In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donations to Parkinson’s Assoc (www.supportapdaparkinson.org), NW Harvest (Northwestharvest.org), Seattle Children's Hospital (www.Seattlechildrens.org) or a charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, 10:00 am at Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E College Way, Mount Vernon.