Barbara Ann Hood

Barbara Ann Hood passed away on January 17, 2025, at 61. She passed comfortably and peacefully at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on September 23rd, 1963, to her loving father, William Hill Hood, and mother, Marianne Hood, on base at what was previously known as Fort Polk, now Fort Johnson, located nearest her true home in Leesville, Louisiana.
As a baby, she could put a cabbage patch to shame as she was often regarded as the cutest on the block by all her brothers and the neighborhood kids. Her childhood to teenage years were spent with her family, transitioning between the United States and Europe as her father was a command sergeant major in the United States Army. Barbara graduated high school at 16 and began attending Northwestern University shortly after, where she had obtained a dual bachelor's degree in Finance and Computer Science.
She was ahead of her time in pursuing her passion for technology. She became one of the first federal female IT specialists for the United States Department of Agriculture-OCIO, CEC at the young age of 21 when she had initially begun her career in Texas and had risen through the ranks throughout her professional career as she and her family migrated to their forever home in Phoenix, Arizona. To her friends, family, and coworkers, she was known for her humor, care, stability, reliability, and genuine willingness to go above and beyond to help anyone in need. Her love and kindness touched the lives of everyone she met, whether just in passing or for those lucky enough to know her longer, and her strength and resilience empowered everyone around her.
She is predeceased by her father, mother, and eldest brother, Bill Hood. She is survived by her daughter Megan Keller, brother Glen Hood and his wife Shandra, brother Frank Hood and his wife Martha and their children Frankie Hood and Brittney Santos and their respective families, as well as her cousin Harald Hofbauer and wife Marion and their family, as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews. Also, not to be forgotten, the many family members strewn throughout the Southern United States and those that would become the found family she had met throughout her life. Her family, friends, and everyone who knew her will miss her tremendously.
A memorial service will begin with a rosary at 10:30 a.m. on February 7th at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, a traditional Mass beginning at 11 a.m., and a small service at her final resting place in Dessert Hills Memorial Park. For those unable to attend in person, a link will be provided so you can view the service in real-time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude (https://www.stjude.org/), American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/), or plant a tree in her honor via A Living Tribute (https://shop.alivingtribute.org/).
Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/4884207
Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1051923023