Barbarba McMATH

A longtime Spokane resident, Barbara Jean (Knudson) McMath, passed away at her home of more than 50 years on July 19, 2025. She was 93 years old. Barbara was born January 3, 1932, to William (Bill) and Hazel Knudson. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in January 1950 and went to work at Washington Waterpower as a supervisor. There she met Robert Leslie McMath, who was the love of her life, and together they did hobbies such as bowling, fishing at Waites Lake, traveling to Las Vegas and Reno.

During the time that husbands and wives could not work together at the same company, Barbara went and worked at Standard Oil and then Old National Bank as key punch operator for both companies. It was during her time at Standard Oil she had her kids, Cheryl McMath and Pamela McMath, and she opted to stay home to take care of them. During this time, she volunteered at the Scholarships Foundation for the Washington Waterpower while also acting as Treasurer in the Women of the Waterpower Foundation.

Barbara's kids, nephews, nieces and grandchildren were the light of her life. They gave her a sense of purpose when her husband, Robert, passed away. She was known to take most of the family to swim lessons and drive them to school. She would often leave dollar bills in the backseat of the car as a reward for never quitting and having integrity on the swim team. She loved her family dearly and would always think about them when out shopping. During the Christmas seasons, the entire Knudson family and McMath family would come together to Barbara's house to celebrate.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Pamela Marie McMath; her grandchildren, Brittney Mikayla Ray, Ashley Vail, Tyler Vail, and Josh Harshman; great-grandkids, Tjaden Fox, Kori Harshman, Renegade Vino GibsonVail, and Logan Hall; niece, Jeannie Knudson; and nephews, Greg Hovland and Rob Hovland. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Hazel Knudson; her daughter, Cheryl Vail; her nephew, Mark Hovland; her beloved husband, Robert McMath; and many other family members. There will not be a day that goes by where her strength, integrity, goofy humor, and her devoted love of family will be forgotten. She leaves behind a legacy of toughness and a loving aura that will be remembered by all who have had the honor to share this life with her.