Barbara G. Harper

Barbara G. Harper age 75 passed away peacefully and in no pain on August 1, 2021 in her home in Sonoma, California after a nineteen year heroic battle with cancer.

Barbara was born in LaGrange Georgia on March 16th 1946 to Gene and Gloria Harper and was the oldest of six children.  Barbara’s father made the Navy his career.  He met Gloria, Barbara’s mother in Australia during World War II.  Barbara was a Navy child and lived in Georgia, Panama and Virginia as a child, and then spent her junior high and high school years in Groton, Connecticut.  Barbara graduated from Fitch High School in Groton, CT in 1964.  She then attended the University of Georgia for two years studying English and art history.

Barbara and two girlfriends then moved to New York City in the summer of 1966.  Barbara worked for Saks Fifth Avenue in the cosmetic department for a couple of years before joining United Airlines as a reservation agent in 1968.  This provided a huge benefit for Barbara to travel and tour Europe and Australia extensively.

Barbara worked for United Airlines in New York, Boston, Chicago, and finally Seattle where she met Tom McFarlan in 1980.  Barbara and Tom would spend the next 41 years together living, working traveling and enjoying homes in Seattle and Vaughn Bay Washington, Chicago, Indian Wells and finally Sonoma, California.

Barbara just loved the arts, especially art history, theatre and museums, but is best remembered for being a great friend to everyone she met.  She had the ability to listen to, engage and encourage everyone she met to be the best that they could be at whatever they pursued.  She gave unconditional friendship to everyone she met.

Barbara was very generous and always helped and encouraged her friends and family.  But best of all, she provided scholarships to women athletes at the University of Washington.  Over the years, she has helped many young women by her quiet support and encouragement.  Barb loved attending sporting events, getting to know the young women and of course, loving them all unconditionally.

At her homes, Barbara enjoyed her flower gardens, vineyard, her little dog Scooter, walking the beach, and especially enjoyed entertaining for family and friends.  All of her family and friends, especially her college girlfriends, knew that Barbara loved shopping and lunch anytime she could.

Barbara is survived by five siblings; Pat Simpson, Little River South Carolina, Andy Harper, Columbia Pennsylvania, Gene Harper, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Susie Ucci Groton, Connecticut and Aileen Degaetano Bozrah, Connecticut , twenty nephews and nieces and twenty-nine grand nephews and nieces.  Barbara will be missed so dearly by all her family and friends, especially by Tom, as Barbara was the love of his life.

A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held later in the Fall in Seattle, Washington.  An announcement to follow.

Remembrances may be made in her name to: By mail - University of Washington, Tyee Club, Box 354070, Graves Building, Seattle, Washington 98195-4070  Online – www.gohuskies.com/mcfarlan

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara G. Harper, please visit our floral store.