Barbara Beatty Winter

Barbara Beatty Winter, known fondly as Mommasan, and GiGi, passed away on January 29, 2026, and entered eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born July 28, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in El Monte, California, Barbara was a teenage city girl with an adventurous spirit. Fate, and a little divine orchestration, led her to Winnemucca, Nevada, where she met the buckaroo cowboy of her dreams, Raymond Winter. They shared 65 years together, building a family, chasing adventures, and facing life hand in hand.

Barbara spent most of her life in Selah, Washington, and her final years in Gig Harbor, Washington. Throughout her life, she wore many hats, working as a trauma clinic assistant, a lightning-fast medical transcriptionist, a real estate agent and finally, a compassionate funeral pre-planning specialist.

Her faith in Jesus Christ anchored her life. For 34 years, Barbara courageously battled breast cancer with grace, humor, and unwavering trust in God. She spoke openly about her faith and deeply desired that her children and grandchildren would know Jesus, believing they would one day reunite at the Pearly Gates. Her familiar phrase, "it is what it is," reflected not resignation, but quiet confidence that God was in control.

Barbara embraced life fully through camping, RVing, hiking the North Cascades, canoeing the Everglades, and backpacking the Bob Marshall Wilderness. She loved games and competition and was formidable at Omaha Poker, Canasta, Parcheesi, and Pinochle.

The heart of her family, Barbara believed deeply in the power of shared meals and time together. Known affectionately as a "cheatin' vegan," she always began with the best intentions of ordering something healthy. More often than not, those intentions gave way as she lifted the menu for a "private" conversation with the server, quietly negotiating her way toward a decidedly naughty choice. She seemed convinced no one would notice but everyone noticed. She was a talented knitter, a fierce encourager, and she never missed an opportunity to say "I love you." In fact, she made absolutely certain-without question, without doubt, for sure, for sure, for sure-that you knew exactly how deeply and completely you were loved.

Barbara is survived by her husband Raymond; her children Christie Winter, Barbara (Todd) Silverthorn, Ronald (Millicent) Winter, and Richard (Belle) Winter; her grandchildren Amanda (Matt), Nicole (Beau), Ari (Hoklai), Jack, Taylor (Caleb), Tori, Brooke, Katie, Lucy, Ray, and Lily; her great grandchildren Nash, Lane, Knox, and Tatum; and her brothers Shawn and Kevin Beatty. She was preceded in death by her parents William T. Beatty and Alice Marie Innerarity, her beloved son Raymond "Deuce" Winter II, and her siblings Bill and Cathy Beatty.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. PST at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Washington, followed by a brief graveside service at West Hills Memorial Park. A reception will immediately follow the graveside service back at the Apple Tree Golf Course.

Barbara lived with humor, grace, and joy. Though she is deeply missed, her family takes comfort knowing she is whole, healed, and home in the presence of her Savior.