Barbara Jean Fries Bishop

1921 - 2015

Barbara Jean Fries Bishop Born to George Justus Fries and Mona Grace Kennish in St. Joseph, MO on October 29, 1921, Barbara Jean Fries Bishop passed away on September 6, 2015 in Olympia. She lived and flourished through a lifetime of learning, service and love. The oldest of five children, Barbara grew up on a ranch in Straw, Fergus County, MT raising goats and chickens, running sheep, and growing wheat. She moved from her family to live with her grandmother Kennish in St. Joseph to attend first grade and returned to Montana to continue her schooling. She and her brother Joseph rode a horse 2.5 miles each day to school. For high school, Barbara again left her family for Lewistown, MT where she cooked and cleaned for a family to pay her keep. Following graduation from Fergus High School in 1937, she received a PEO scholarship to Northern Colorado State Teacher's College in Greeley, where she lived with relatives while attending classes. With the onset of World War II, Barbara joined the WAVES, US Navy, one of the first women from Montana to do so, where she served from February 4, 1943 to November 20, 1945 as a Specialist (Teacher) First Class (Link Trainer Instructor). Continuing her education on the GI Bill, Barbara returned to Greeley. While avidly pursuing her teaching credentials, she met Warren Allison Bishop, another World War II veteran, also completing his college degree. After graduation each moved to take teaching jobs in Washington State, Barbara in Vancouver and Warren in Yakima. Encompassing similar backgrounds and values both families having lost their ranches during the Great Depression of 1929 1937, love came naturally and they were married in Marysville, MO June 18, 1947. Newly married, Barbara and Warren lived first in Yakima and then in Seattle and Edmonds as Warren attended graduate school at the University of Washington. The first of three daughters, Claire, was born in 1953 followed by Julia in 1955 and Ellen in 1958. The family moved to Olympia where Barbara became involved in volunteer work, organized frequent family visits to Iron Springs Resort on the Washington coast and fostered her daughters' development. The mid-60's brought a move to Pullman where Barbara oversaw the design by architects Dave Scott and Bob Ford, and construction, of a new family home, including planning the landscaping and interior design of the first of two custom built homes she brought to completion. These projects tapped into Barbara's artistic talents and brought her great satisfaction. With her daughters on their way to independence and Warren retired from WSU and eager to start a new phase of life, they moved to Harstine Island in 1978 and another home-building project for Barbara. She served on, and chaired the homeowner's association at Hartstene Pointe which governed the land use of this 430-home community. Living on the South Puget Sound brought happy times filled with visits from grandchildren, oysters on the half shell, and beach walks. Another move in 1988 brought Barbara and Warren to their former stomping grounds in Olympia where they continued to host family events and offer wise counsel to their daughters and grandchildren. A final move was made to Brookdale Assisted Living facility in Lacey in 2008 where Barbara and Warren were beautifully supported by the staff during their final years. Warren passed in 2013 at the age of 91 and although Barbara was sure she'd live to 96, she surprised us with her early passing at the age of 93. She was fond of telling her family and friends that she'd lived a good life and was content. She was deeply loved and made a profound impact on all those whose lives she touched. Survivors include grandchildren Joseph Hulbert; Christopher, Allison and Benjamin Conroy; daughters Claire Bishop, Julia Hulbert and Ellen Conroy; her beloved sister Sergia; nieces, nephews and their children, as well as close friends. Family and friends will celebrate the lives of Warren and Barbara Bishop at Paradise, Mt. Rainier, when the wildflowers are blooming in 2016. Those wishing to make contributions in Barbara's memory are encouraged to support the Washington State Parks Foundation, www.wspf.org.