Barbara Ann Fridley
Barbara Ann Fridley, 96, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in The Dalles, OR. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Fridley Jr., and her son Russell D. Fridley, sister Doris Nisbet and brother Gene McConaughy. Barbara is survived by her daughter Teresa Fridley-Willis (Terry) of Goldendale, her son Stuart (Tracey) of Vancouver, WA, and daughter Evelyn (Chris) Hemming, of Bremerton, WA. Grand-children Sarah (Scott) Dickinson and her three beloved great-grandchildren of Goldendale, Grand-children Alena Fridley and Maryn Fridley, Jonathan Hemming and Gavin Hemming.
Born on July 12, 1928, to Dwight and Vera McConaughy, they moved around the Midwest and western states to keep up with the great depression and WW11. They ended up in Wasco, OR.
It was there she met Clyde, who courted her as she was bed-ridden with Rheumatic Fever. It worked! They were married November 28, 1947, in the Wasco Methodist Church.
They Moved from Wasco to Los Angeles, CA, to Tillamook OR, as Clyde pursued his dream and love of flying. Returning to Wasco, she set about being a wife and mother.
The following years saw her family grow as she met the challenges that every "farmer's wife" faces. Lots of hard work, planning for the best but preparing for the rest.
She and Clyde continued to be active in the United Methodist Church.
The summer of 1967 found Barbara and Clyde purchasing another farm and moving their family to Goldendale, WA. It became the home base and continues to be "The Fridley Farm" to this day.
In the early 80's everything changed when Clyde was diagnosed with cancer. Barbara and Clyde continued to live and learn as they fought to defeat the beast that became a part of the daily battle. Despite their best efforts, Clyde succumbed in March of 1983.
Barbara, after recovering from the loss of her husband, decided to "do something" with all the knowledge she had accumulated. She went back to school and became a Chaplain and Patient Advocate at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, WA. Her knowledge and life experiences would become essential as she helped patients, and their loved ones work through
the halls and walls of Modern Medicine. She was the one who made the call no one wants to hear, that your loved one has died. From there she would help the surviving family members through the agony of dealing with that reality. Some families requested that she be the one to conduct the funeral services and help with the other details when one is most vulnerable.
The next day, she might be the pastor for a wedding because of how she helped the couple or family through a difficult time. Through it all she kept her faith and helped others regardless of their beliefs.
Barbara retired and returned to the farm in Goldendale where she and her husband, Clyde, worked for so many years. She continued her work with the Methodist Women's group of SW Washington. She was a vocal and visible supporter for peace, despite the insults and gestures hurled her way as she carried a sign calling for Peace rather than bombs. Because it was the right thing to do.
Barbara will be remembered by all who came to know her. Her smile, her kindness and patience, her life-long faith and wisdom will live on in all those she touched.
Whether through her lifetime of work in the church, her work and time spent at Holy Family Hospital, or her activism promoting peace, Barbara did all she could to make this world a better place until she no longer had the physical strength to go on.
She will be missed, but her values and faith will live on.
Barbara’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 3:00 pm at her Fridley Family Farm.
Spencer, Libby and Powel Funeral Home in care of arrangements.