Barbara Winifred Ashley entered her heavenly and eternal home to be with Jesus on December 30, 2017, while sleeping peacefully at home, where she had lived for 67 years. She was born September 5, 1929 on Bailey Island, Maine to Elizabeth & Harvey Johnson. She was the youngest of 5 children; three brothers, Albert, Granville, and George, and one sister, Jeanette. She was a member of the Methodist Church, and was baptized at age 10, after committing her life to Jesus Christ.

She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1947. Following graduation, she attended The Wilson School of Boston, Massachusetts, in Decatur, Texas. She graduated June 30, 1948 with a Certificate in Medical Laboratory and X-Ray Technique. Barbara moved to Olympia in the spring of 1949, to be close to her sister and her husband Norm, who were expecting their first child, Ann Soper. Norm, along with two other veteran friends, Donald Ashley and Wayne Leenhoutes, opened one of Olympia’s first Radio/TV stores, “Capitol Radio TV” on West 5^th Street in Olympia.

Barbara married Don on March 25, 1950, and she moved into the family home where Don lived with his parents. In 1962, Don left Capitol Radio TV to start a new business, 2 Way Radio Sales and Service, which was mostly for Fire and Police Departments. Don ran the business from their home and Barbara scheduled the jobs, was the bookkeeper, and business secretary. Barbara and Don wished for children, but, in Barbara’s words, God didn’t give them any. They had many beloved pets throughout their lives. Barbara and Don enjoyed 42 years of marriage before Don passed away from ALS disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, (Lou Gehrig’s disease), in 1992.

Barbara and Don were very active in the Northwest Amateur Radio Club. Barbara served as secretary for many years, keeping minutes, organizing events, and issuing certificates to members. She was licensed as a Technician with the call sign W7GJL.

Barbara was a faithful servant of God and loved the Lord through her life of service to others. She also served in the Olympia Library, at the information desk. She enjoyed volunteering at the Olympia Group Health Medical Center for over 40 years. Barbara also loved knitting, crocheting sewing, gardening, flowers, and most of all, reading her Bible. She became a faithful member of Westwood Baptist Church in April, 1992.

Barbara was preceded in death by her sister Jeanette Soper (Norman deceased) her three brothers Albert (Catherine), Granville (Joan), and George Johnson (Norma Jean deceased), and her nephew Ronald Johnson. Barbara is survived by many dear friends, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews, including, Anne Hill (Gary), Ann’s children, Jeremy and Julie; Andrew Johnson; Cassie Rollins; Lawrence and Wayne Johnson, Lori Stevens, Wendy Gerrish; Joan Smith (Adam), George Jr, David Sr, Carl, and Mary Johnson; and Teralyn Anderson and Neil Brandsma, her closest friends, neighbors , and family in heart.

For all of us who knew and loved Barbara, we are all so better off. And we miss her dearly. Barbara’s life will be honored on Friday, March 2, 2018, 11:00 am, at Westwood Baptist Church. We welcome and encourage all of Barbara’s friends to join us in this celebration. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Feline Friends.