Barbara Black

Barbara Jean Shepard Black passed away suddenly April 30, 2015.

She was born March 9, 1943 to Barbara (Felker) Aiton and the late Jack Aiton in Portland, Oregon. Prior to Barbara’s birth, her father Jack was killed in an automobile accident.

Six months after Barbara Jean was born, her mother married Frank L. Shepard Jr. of Bainbridge Island. Frank adopted Barbara Jean in September of 1943.

Barbara Jean spent the early years of her life growing up on Hillside Drive in San Francisco and Mount Baker Park, Seattle. The family later moved to Bainbridge Island to be close to grandparents: Dr. Frank L. Shepard and Charlotte Shepard, pioneer doctor and nurse in Winslow.

Barbara Jean was a 1961 graduate of Bainbridge High School where she was head cheerleader, homecoming queen and student of the year. During summers, she worked at the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe on the Seattle waterfront.

Barbara Jean met Lawrence “Pete” Black while attending Whitworth College in Spokane. They were married July 19, 1963.

Barbara Jean was a proud mother and devout Christian. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church for more than 50 years.

Barbara’s love of family and children was evident in the joy that surrounded her and all of her offspring at the many celebrations she hosted in her home. Upon retirement she and Pete moved to Wenatchee and “upsized” their home to accommodate her growing family of grandchildren and later great-grandchildren and the many relatives and friends that would visit.

Barbara Jean volunteered much of her time providing childcare at church and every year at the Warm Beach Christian Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood.

Barbara Jean is survived by her husband, Pete; her five siblings, Capt. Frank L. Shepard III (Dana), Dr. Mark F. Shepard (Linda), Rev. John M. Shepard (Trudy) and Charlotte Jaberi (Farhad); five children, Diane Hallberg (Rick), Janet Stump (Glenn), Steve Black (Julie), Randy Black (Jennifer) and Katie Slette (Greg); and 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Barbara Jean will be especially missed here on Bainbridge by her nephews, Paimon and Arman Jaberi; she was a devoted and caring aunt.

Memorial donations may be made to The Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund, Warm Beach Camp (www.warmbeach.com); The Bainbridge High School Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund (c/o Bainbridge Community Foundation, 221 Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110).

Arrangements are by Jones and Jones-Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.

Graveside services are 1 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the Wenatchee Cemetery; a memorial service is 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at Free Methodist Church, 1601 Fifth Street, Wenatchee.