Barbara Ruth Alfers (Small) passed away peacefully in her home in Olympia, WA on November 3, 2012 surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara and her identical twin sister Beverly were born in Seattle, WA on January 11, 1933 and were adopted at 4 months of age by Ruth and Jean Small of Seattle.
Barbara and her sister grew up in Fauntleroy in West Seattle and attended 12 years at Holy Rosary School where her lifelong faith in God began.
Barbara then went on to study at Seattle University in the School of Theology and worked as Secretary to the Colonel in the Army Veterinary Corps before marrying Gerald Alfers in 1955. Together they raised seven children and Barbara was a wonderful grandma to their ten grandchildren.
She enjoyed raising her family in West Seattle, the same neighborhood as her childhood, while also spending summers with her family and friends at her beach house on Vashon Island.
Barbara also had a special connection to animals, from farm animals, zoo animals to family pets. She told many stories about her pet turkey who loved his nails painted red, her dog Brownie, as well as walking her cow Bessie throughout West Seattle, selling milk during the war. Her favorite story about her cow was Bessie getting loose one day and running from her home in Fauntleroy all the way down Roxbury in West Seattle, she and her twin sister running after her. In addition to her own childhood pets, she had a special relationship with each of her adult children’s pets. Somehow, they knew she was the special one in the family who handed out tasty table scraps at will (after meals).
While raising her family, Barbara also devoted many hours volunteering at Holy Family Church in West Seattle. She was very active in the Altar Society and Holy Family Sodality. She also spent many years teaching religious studies classes at Holy Family and St. Bernadette.
Of her many interests, she particularly enjoyed her husband’s years in Seafair and loved all of the social events and duties that went along with it.
She was also a lifelong member of Beta Sigma Phi.
The last 20 years of her life were spent at her beautiful home in Olympia, WA with several months per year in Hawaii. She also traveled throughout the world, most notably her religious pilgrimages throughout Europe, including Medjugorje and Israel.
Anyone who knew her also knew she had a great story to tell. When she told a story, everyone was captivated and laughing, retelling the story for years to come. She also had a big heart for anyone in need and would drop everything to help in any way she could. People knew that if they or a loved one needed a prayer, they could count on her to devote hours to the cause. If someone were seriously ill, she would bring out her personal holy water from Lourdes.
Barbara is survived by her husband Gerald, children Jerilyn Templeton (Brad), Joseph Alfers, Jean Alfers, John Alfers (Tanya), James Alfers,
Jennifer Spencer (Jeff), Jeff Alfers (Cathy); and grandchildren Christopher, Shaun, Nicole, Alex, Aaron, Andre, Willem, Ella, Iris and Isaak.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Chris Burtner, the staff at Lacey Dialysis Center, and Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice for their compassionate and devoted care during Barbara’s long battle with diabetes and kidney failure. Please know that Barbara was very much at peace, with minimal pain, and a smile on her face in her last days. We know she is resting in the arms of the Lord while storytelling with her twin sister, family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, http://www.ccsww.org/site/
PageServer?pagename=donate_waystodonate. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 9th at St. Michael Church in Olympia @ 11am.
Paid Obituary.
