Barbara Louise "Bobbie" McBride

1940 - 2023

Boise, ID - Barara Louise (Upson) McBride passed away Sunday October 29, 2023 at the age of 83. Born April 29, 1940 in Emmett, Idaho to Arthur and Edna (Wallace) Upson.

Barbara grew up in Emmett on the family farm with her older brother, Robert "Bob" and younger brother John. When asked what she remembered most about her parents, she said, "They were strong, honest, caring people. I could hear them talking about their day every night, and they hugged every morning."

Barbara graduated from Emmett High School and attended Links School of Business in Boise, Idaho. She shared an apartment with Bev who called her "Bobbie" and the name stuck. From then on she was Bobbie to friends and family and later "Barb" at work. Bev introduced her to the soon to be love of her life, Gerald "Mike" McBride. Mom wrote on their 50th wedding anniversary she "knew he was the one, when hormones and stupidity kicked in. He had on a blue shirt and blue eyes. We really like each other."

Mike and Bobbie married three months later on September 9th, 1959, at Saint John's Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho. Mike was in the Air Force and as a military wife, she accompanied him to Mountain Home ID, Chateauroux France, Lakenheath England, Chanute Rantoul IL, Malmstrom Great Falls MT and Bentwaters-Woodbridge England.

After Mike retired from the military in 1975, they settled in Nampa Idaho where Barbara went to work full time, employed at Circle K, Ernst Home Center, and finally retiring from D & B as the district Bookkeeper. Once retired, Bobbie helped managed the books for the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Caldwell Idaho, Volunteered at Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry and managed their books.

Bobbie had a beautiful smile, strong work ethic, positive outlook, charming sense of humor, loved reading books, collecting jewelry, going to thrift stores (followed by dinner with Mike at Burger King), spending time at the family cabin, hiking in the mountains, and enjoying grand and great grandchildren. After moving to Bobbie's favorite home on Purple Sage Golf Course, she enjoyed walking the course with Mike and collecting homeless golf balls they later donated to others including the Purple Sage Youth Golfers.

When asked what accomplishments she was most proud of she replied, "Our four daughters, Sharon, Ann, Loraine and Michelle". She was noted for her extensive vocabulary, and remarked often that it was important to stay "flexible and vertical" which she accomplished by volunteering, staying active and walking.

Bobbie passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter Ann after a three day vigil surrounded by her daughters, sons-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When asked if she liked the music we were playing, her last words were, "yes, it's exquisite".

She was preceded in death by her father Arthur Upson, mother Edna (Wallace) Upson, brother John Upson, and her husband of 63 years, Gerald Michael (Mike) McBride.

Bobbie is survived by her four daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Craig Brown, Ann and Richard Rusnak, Loraine and Wesley (Wes) Heath, Michelle and G. John Drinkwine. Her ten grandchildren; Amber, Joseph, Megan, Melanie, Sarah, Katie, Haley, Savannah, John, Joshua and her twelve great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held Monday November 13, 2023 at 1100 at Saint Mark's Catholic Church, 7960 W Northview St Boise, Idaho 83704, reception to follow. Bobbie requested cremation and to be interred with Mike at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.