Barbara Bixby Vange died peacefully at her home at Bush Point on March 15, 2009.

Barbara was born in Burley, Idaho in 1919 and spent her formative years in Portland, Ore. and Polson, Mont.

She attended Montana State College and was a graduate of Oregon State and Pacific Lutheran universities.

Barbara was a natural leader and a true internationalist. She, with her husband and family, lived for 22 years outside the U.S., in Germany, Argentina, Korea, France, Iran and Spain, where her husband worked for General Motors.

She was always active in community affairs and was on the board of the Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires, was president of the Garden Club of Seoul (Korea), founder of the Women’s Club of Zaragoza (Spain) and served on the board of the American School in Tehran, Iran.

Locally, Barbara was active on the election board, was a founder of WICA and a former president of the Island Arts Council.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Howard; two daughters, Coral Scranton of

Santa Fe, Calif. and Kim Boestam of Stockholm, Sweden, and two sons, Darrell of Seattle and Harlan of Philadelphia, Pa. She had six grandchildren as well.

There is no public funeral service or ceremony planned. Her entire family has gathered on the island to remember her privately.