Barbara Tidyman

Barbara Tidyman
Oro Valley, Arizona resident Barbara Ann Tidyman, 91, died August 26, 2025 at home.
Barbara is survived by three children; Todd and wife Kelly Tidyman of Avondale, AZ; Karen and husband Richard Marshall of St. Paul, MN; and Tim Tidyman of Avondale, AZ, by two sisters; Dorothy Wolpert of Olympia, WA; and Harriet Griffing and her partner Wayne Hayward of Pontiac, IL, by sister-in-law Susan Tidyman, and brother-in-law Bill and wife Clarice Tidyman. Other survivors include two grandchildren; Benjamin Marshall and wife Shirley Afonso Marshall; and Colin Marshall and wife Gabriela Saldivia, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchild Charles Saldivia Marshall.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Tidyman, and her parents.
Barbara was born on July 24, 1934, at Waterloo, Montana, to Harry and Florence Mellott on the homestead of Barbara's grandmother. The Mellott family moved to Butte, Montana in 1936, then to Hamilton, Montana in 1945. Barbara graduated from Hamilton High School in 1953 having participated in drama club, the tennis team and as a cheerleader. Barbara, a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, met Tom at Montana State University at Missoula (now the University of Montana - Missoula) during her sophomore year and Tom's senior year. After a brief romance, Tom entered the Air Force and their relationship continued long distance for 2 years until Tom mailed Barbara an engagement ring. They were married September 1, 1956.
Barbara started a love for journalism delivering the hometown newspaper in middle school, then in high school working at the Western News for Miles Romney, Jr., whom she spoke of with great fondness and respect throughout her life. She graduated with a Journalism degree and worked in that profession at various newspapers throughout her adult life, wherever the family lived, culminating at the Jackson Citizen Patriot in Jackson, Michigan - including her own column. Working all her life, she finished her career as a Senior Executive Secretary at Wickland Oil Company in Sacramento, CA.
While Barbara's journalism background served her well in publishing Wickland Oil Company's newsletters, Barbara also volunteered to publish newsletters for her children's Little Leagues and PTAs, and while retired in Oro Valley she served on the Splendido Residents Association as its Secretary. Her volunteer work as a retiree also included organizing the book sales at Golden Goose Thrift Shop for many years in Catalina, AZ.
Barbara played tennis for many years in her adult life, enjoyed reading and creative endeavors like sewing and painting, and was prolific at making jewelry during her retirement.
Rather than flowers or gifts, the family requests memorial donations to either of the following:
1) Splendido Residents Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, 5049 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 201, Tucson, AZ 85711 (or at https://cfsaz.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list?showlist=1) -or-
2) Catalina Community Services, c/o IMPACT of Southern Arizona, 3535 E Hawser Street, Tucson, AZ 85739 (or at https://www.impactsoaz.org/different-ways-to-donate)