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BORN
1932
DIED
2025
Barbara Holmes Obituary
September 21, 1932 - May 16, 2025
Bellingham, Washington - Barbara Jean (Lind) Holmes was born September 21, 1932 in Bellingham, Washington to Russell E. Lind and Lucile (Ainsworth) Lind. Raised in Bellingham, she attended Campus School and Bellingham High School. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara California with a teaching certificate and moved to Ventura, California to teach 4th grade. After committing her life to Christ, Barbara got involved with Young Life, a ministry to high-school kids. In the summer of 1958 she enrolled in a Master's program at the Young Life Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she met Donald R. Holmes. Study buddies, they corresponded throughout the following year and married on November 8th of 1959 at her parent's home in Bellingham. The two served together as Young Life staff in Kansas City, Missouri where their first daughter Christy was born in 1960. Young Life work then took them to Colorado Springs, Colorado where their daughter Suzanne was born in 1963. In 1965 Don and Barbara moved into her childhood home in Bellingham, Washington and their son Timothy was born in 1967.
In 1972 Don and Barbara opened The Quest Bookstore, serving the Christian and Seeking Community in downtown Bellingham. They both enjoyed reading and discussing books and put together a book discussion and supper club that met monthly for decades. Don and Barbara also enjoyed travel, visiting many countries, often with their children and grandchildren.
Barbara spent countless hours investing in practical and spiritual mentorship of young women in her church and her community. With a heart for fellowship and kindness, she was instrumental in bringing Love Inc. to Bellingham, and was also involved in weekly prayer groups, international student hospitality ministry, and Bible Study Fellowship. Barbara was an avid gardener, maintaining and expanding the beautiful gardens her mother had started.
After Don graduated to Heaven in 2020, Barbara continued to live in their home her childhood home until late March of 2025 when she suffered a fall that landed her in the hospital, then rehab, then residential care at Lynden Christian Care Center, and finally at her daughter Suzanne's home for hospice care. She often stated that she was ready to go to Heaven and on May 16th, she did just that, chatting with us around 5 p.m. and gone to Jesus at 5:27 p.m. Her passing was as gentle and peaceful as we could hope for and we know she is with our Lord in her life ever-lasting.
Barbara was the best person I have ever known, and it is a privilege to be her daughter.
She is preceded in death by her husband Donald R. Holmes, both her parents Russell and Lucile Lind, and her brother Charles E. Lind, and is survived by her children: Christy Lind Hart (Gregery), Suzanne Kay Chandler (Jamie), and Dwight Timothy Holmes; grand-children Kara (Christianson) and Dan Maguire, Kelli (Christianson) and David Sittser, Kayti Christianson and Patrick Riparetti, Andrew Chandler, and Juliana Chandler; great-grandsons: Charlie Sittser, Danny Maguire, and Henri Sittser and great-granddaughters Lily Lind Sittser and Ayla Riparetti. She is also survived by numerous dear nieces and nephews.
There will be a family memorial gathering at her home in the summer.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Holmes
6 Entries
Kim Radder
June 8, 2025
Barbara encouraged me as a baby believer in the early 1980´s. She led a Bible study at Bellingham Covenant Church that I was part of. About ten years later, Love INC shared office space with my place of employment. Relationships formed there were priceless and I volunteered "behind the scenes" for the ministry.
I remember sitting in Barbara´s garden, under a blooming locust tree. A gentle breeze showered us with its white petals. That image has stayed with me for close to 40 years. A shower of white petals will always remind me of her.
I look forward to seeing her again.
Wendy Allen
May 30, 2025
My Dear Friend/ employer... so many memories.. so many conversations,,, so many books! I will miss you dearly and am in great gratitude for your Friendship and love.. In my heart until we meet again, Wendy Allen
Wendy Allen
May 30, 2025
Dear Barbara, we´ll hold you in my heart a until we meet again,, I will treasure our many memories and it what such a honor to call you friend and work in your gorgeous yard.. Great Love, Wendy Allen Thanks for everything..
Nancy Elvig
May 30, 2025
I knew Barb and Don at Bellingham Covenant Church many years ago. She was always so warm and welcoming. There was a rock solid steadiness about her, it was clear she was tightly anchored to the Lord. I am very sorry for your loss and also rejoicing at heaven´s gain.
Marty Neher
May 29, 2025
She was a wonderful person. I spent many days at her home as a child. I was best friends with Tim. She was always welcoming, and had a great spirit. My condolences.
Mark Buckley
May 29, 2025
Barb always led with kindness and a smile. Soft-spoken yet certain in her beliefs, Barb´s quiet strength imbued the best of the Christian character: warmth, love, caring, mercy, and genuine concern for the other. She listened attentively, in a group or one-on-one, and worked to understand others´ points of view. Barb never knew a stranger, and for the time I worked with she and Don at Baggins and The Quest, she always made me feel like part of the family. My heartfelt condolences go to Christy, Suzanne, Tim, and all who knew and loved Barb. I can imagine Barb and Don together, smiling brightly as they pepper God with hosts of questions. Well done, good and faithful servant.
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