GRAY, Barbara

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, December 10, 2011 Barbara Schwab Gray died Nov. 30, 2011, after a courageous battle with leukemia at the Marley House in Prescott. She was born July 8, 1940, the daughter of Charles Marshall and Dorothy Marie (McGee) Schwab in Joliet, Ill. Barbara was 71 years old. Don and Barbara were married Sept. 1, 1962; although they were both flying with Caribair in Puerto Rico, they met at a party at the pilots' beach-house in December and by January, Don was already infatuated with Barbara and remained so for all their years together. Barbara was an excellent seamstress, making clothes for the whole family, even tailoring a pair of slacks for Don. She was a proficient gardener, with Don doing the heavy lifting and rototilling when they lived in Idaho, with its very short 60- to 90-day growing season. They would eat home-grown produce out of the freezer through April. Barbara became an expert weaver and spinner after moving to Prescott. She took a course at Yavapai College and joined the Prescott Weavers and Spinners. Her crowning achievement was a beautiful blue-green cape. Barbara was proudest of her children. Barbara is survived by Don; daughter Kathryn (Robert) Hoellen of Spooner, Wis.; son Eric (Kim) Gray of Danville, Calif.; three grandsons; one granddaughter; four sisters; and two brothers. Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury, with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Final commendation and farewell will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at Prescott National Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to Good Samaritan Society, Marley House, 1065 Ruth St., Prescott, AZ 86301. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Barbara's guestbook, share a memory with the family and view a tribute to her. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral home assisted the family. Information provided by survivors.