Barbara Carol Avery

1948 - 2018

Barbara Carol Avery, age 70, died at Yuma Regional Medical Center on May 2, 2018. She was born to Robert and Bertha Hougnon on April 10, 1948 in McCook, Nebraska. She was the first of 11 children.

Barb's strongest passion was education. She graduated from Buena Vista High School in Buena Vista, CO in 1966. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO and then Western State College in Gunnison, CO graduating in May 1970. She received her Masters of English Arts from Adams State College in 1993. She taught 5th grade, substitute taught high school, and was a GED instructor for the Colorado Dept. of Corrections.

In October 1991 she married the love of her life Irving W. Avery. Together they enjoyed playing cards, taking road trips, traveling the world, visiting family, and socializing with friends. This was the happiest time of her life.

Barb moved to Yuma Arizona in 2009 for health reasons that included Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Asthma. She loved to play Bridge, Pinochle, and Cribbage. She was involved in book club, VFW Ladies auxiliary, GEMS MS Support Group, and Catholic Daughters. She felt very blessed by her family and friends, and will be missed terribly.

She was preceded in death by her Husband Irving W. Avery, and parents Robert and Bertha Hougnon.

She is survived by her daughters, Arian (Donald) Lee, Amber (Robert) VanNess, granddaughters, Shawnee VanNess and Berlin VanNess, grandson, Talan Lee, and siblings, Cathy (John) Pfalzgraff, James (Jean) Hougnon, Dennis (Barbara) Hougnon, Joanne (Donald) Raymond, Mary Hougnon, Sharon Wilson, Connie (Spiro) Mack, Sister Teresa Hougnon, Kimberly Armstrong, Michael (Erinn) Hougnon.

Memorial Services will be held at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Yuma on May 11, 2018 at 10:30am, and in Buena Vista, CO on June 16, 2018 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in Barb's Name to the Buena Vista School District or The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk for MS.