Barbara Parr

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Parr (Scholz) announces her passing. Barbara passed away at the age of 80, on March 31, 2021 at home surrounded by her family after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Don Parr, her daughter, Cathey Juhl and her husband Andy; Granddaughters; Michaela Greenfield (Gerry), Megan Tasche (Dusty), Nikki Tunnicliffe (Rick), and Sarah Juhl; 10 great grandchildren; Dylan, Connor, Ryan, Kason, Alice, Arlo, Tatum, Zach, Lizzie, and Ethan; Her sisters Jutta (Jürgen), Karen and their families. She was preceded in death by her father, Fritz (2005), mother, Anni (2009), and daughter Monica (1969)

Barbara was born in Kiel, Germany on November 24^th, 1940 to Anni and Fritz Scholz, during WWll. In 1944, Barbara and her mother survived the bombing of Kiel. After the bombing, the two were sent out to a village in the countryside of Germany called Scheppern, to live on a dairy farm for the next 10 years. The family, Barb’s parents and 2 sisters immigrated to the U.S. in 1956 and settled in Rocky Ford, Colorado.

Barb met the love of her life, Donnie Parr, while attending Rocky Ford High School.  After a short courtship, they were married in November of 1958 and began their 62-year love-filled life together. They had two daughters, Cathey in 1959, and Monica in 1962.  The two moved to Fort Collins, Colorado so that Donnie could attend Colorado State University. Barb worked part-time in an electrical shop while Don worked as a milkman, all while attending classes at CSU where he graduated with his teaching degree. In 1969, They moved to Seattle, Washington for Don’s first teaching position at Glendale Jr. High. They spent many happy years living in South Seattle raising their daughter Cathey. Later moving to West Seattle and after retirement they moved to Maple Valley.

Barb had a passion for education and kids. She worked at Cascade Middle School as a teacher’s aide until retirement in 2000. She could connect with kids that most could not. It did not matter who you were, what country you came from or the language you spoke, you were welcomed with open arms. Barb’s patience and kindness made others feel at ease. She made a profound mark on so many lives during her career in education, students would come back years later to tell her how she had changed their lives for the better.

 Apart from being an educator, Barbara was an incredible homemaker, devoted wife, and loving mother. She was also the most amazing Omi to her granddaughters’ and 6 great grandkids. She loved spending time with her family and always had a reason to get them together, birthdays, holidays or just Sunday football games. She loved to entertain and had many memorable dinner parties with her beautifully set tables and amazing food. She was an avid baker and wowed many with her pastries, tortes, cakes and pies. She spoiled her grandkids with amazing cookies.

Barb loved to travel. There were many trips back to Germany to visit family and friends, to Spain to watch the Olympics, and many other countries. She also went ‘glamping’ with her family.  Barbara had a love for the Opera and classical music and could often be found listening to it while reading her newest book or knitting.  She took pride in her flowers and plants and had the ability to nurture any plant back to life. In retirement, she found many great friendships while snow-birding in Mesa, Arizona. There were many wonderful girl-trips to Sedona, garage sales and rock hunting trips in the desert to find that just right piece for jewelry she was making in silver shop.

 Throughout her life, no matter the hardships or circumstances, she handled everything with grace. She loved those around her deeply, treated everyone with kindness. Her absence in this life will leave a void in all our lives but we are surrounded with many cherished memories.

A Memorial is being arranged for mid-June.

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