Barbara Lind

1930 - 2025

Barbara Lind

May 29, 1930 - February 23, 2025

Olympia, Washington - Barbara Ann (Eskridge) Lind (1930-2025). Barbara was born in New London, CT, on May 29, 1930, as the only child of Ira E. Eskridge and Emily E. Rowland Eskridge. Her father was in the Coast Guard throughout her life, spending forty years at sea and rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. Barbara and her future husband, Carl Bradley Lind, met at a regional high school forensics meet (when family lore says they somehow ended up washing dishes together). They dated throughout college - Carl B. was a military cadet, at Norwich University, while she was a student at Smith College in Northampton, MA. They fell in love and married at Smith College on October 22, 1951, after Carl was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the US Army. The next year Barbara graduated from Smith, and the couple reunited across the Atlantic where Brad was deployed at various Army posts in Germany. All their earthly belongings fit in two military footlockers. Barbara was the quintessential Army wife and the family soon grew with the births of Garry, Susan, and Craig. The new Army family served around the world before Barbara and Brad retired to Washington State in 1983. Always having a strong urge to travel and learn about the world, the couple lived, traveled, and experienced locations throughout the US as well as Europe, Mexico, Southeast Asia, China, Morocco, Peru, Australia and many other fascinating destinations. Barbara was a tiny woman with a huge heart.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Carl B. Lind, and her beloved grandson Ira Daugherty. Barbara is survived by her three children: Carl G. Lind (Arnesa), Susan Daugherty (Brock), and Craig I. Lind; she was also serendipitously blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jennifer Brown (Nolan), James Lind, Devon Emerson (Brian), their children Avery and Wyatt, Shannon Zahuranec (Baron), and their children Evan and Elin. She is also survived by Ira Daugherty's son, Alec.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were beloved by her, and Barbara had a lifelong curiosity and joy about the world in which we live, and encouraged those values of lifelong learning in her descendants throughout her life. If she was asked any question, if she didn't already know the answer (as usual), she would make it a personal quest to research the subject and find and relate the detailed answer. And - in all likelihood - send you newspaper and magazine articles about it for the next several years.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date, when Barbara will rejoin her husband Carl B. Lind. She will be buried in the dress she wore at their first meeting, almost 75 years earlier. Their final resting place is near where their grandson Ira is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

A memorial celebration of Barbara's life will be held at the Olympia Country and Golf Club at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a favored charity, Wolf Haven International (wolfhaven.org).

A Celebration of Life for Barbara will be held on Saturday May 31st at the Olympia Country Club from 3PM to 6PM. All are welcome to attend.