Barbara J. Wingender French, passed suddenly November 13, 2020, at her home in Lincoln, Montana.
Barbara was born January 13, 1955, in Winnemucca, Nevada to Randall and Mary Christine Wingender. She is a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead reservation.
Barbara spent her early years in Walkerville, Montana. After the passing of her mother, she lived at the Helena Deaconess home for children, until she was taken in by her loving foster parents, Jim and Paula Murphy. She went on to graduate from Helena High School in 1973.
In 1975, Barbara married Patrick Tubbs and together they had 2 daughters, Grace Murray and Lotus Mary. She created “Tubby Wubby Daycare” in the early eighties after determining that she wanted to be a stay at home mother. She cared for many children through these years and loved each of them like they were her own. As the last of the children went off to school Barbara worked at Safeway and County Market, doing what she loves best, happily engaging with others and taking care of as many people as possible. Although they divorced in 1988, Patrick and Barbara remained friends and proud parents of Grace and Lotus, and grandparents to their grandchildren for the rest of their lives.
In 1992 Barbara married Terry French and stayed by his side until his passing in 2018. They were great team, running a house moving business and entertaining their many friends all around the state. They loved to travel and together covered countless miles back and forth across the country.
Barbara is remembered for her giving spirit; she would quite literally give you the jacket off her back if you were cold. She went out of her way to feed every mouth, comfort every sorrow, and make everyone she touched feel loved. She sat on the board for the Senior Center in Lincoln and loved being able to give back to the community she loved so much. She spent hours and days canning vegetables and making her famous salsa surrounded by her dearest friends. She made sure to keep in contact with all of her friends; her dearest high school friends, her Wildflower family, and all of her Lincoln friends who could be found any day of the week having fun on her “veranda”. She taught her girls the importance on doing a good deed every day and to always be kind to strangers.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Grace (Lance) De Silva, and Lotus (Ron) Irizarry; her beloved grandchildren, Haven De Silva, Ryder De Silva, and Ron “Rizzy” Irizarry; foster mother, Paula (Thom Watkins) Murphy; her siblings, Carol Finley, James Wunder, Janice Irvine, Patricia (Tiny) Martin, Linda (Loy) Vandiver, Karen Little, Christine Wingender, Willow Diaz, Randy (Beth) Johnson, Shawna Murphy and Shane Murphy; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry French; parents, Randall and Mary Christine Wingender; foster father, James Murphy; her stepson, Chester French; siblings, Juanita Matt, Jeanne Irvine, and Peter Johnson.
Due to Covid-19, a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Barbara.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Allen Stennhjem says
Sorry to hear about this. God Bless Barb ………..
Allen / Glenda
Lila Garrick says
sympathy your way. A great lady
Shauna Longmire says
Oh my cousin!! The stories I will always have to tell! The smiles I have and the way you looked out for me mean more than you know! You will be with Terry and Chet now. Keep them in line!! Love you Barb! R.I.P!!
Kathy Kendall says
Grace and Lotus,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kirt and Kathy Kendall
Rose and Taylor Berg says
Our thoughts go out to all of barb’s family Rose and i loved spending time with barb .We had so many memories in Lincoln all the crab boils and just sitting on the veranda thanks for all the great times r.i.p. our dear friend you will be truly missed
Linda Vandiver says
I am so devastated @ the loss of my little big sister. The greatest cook, wisenheimer, beauty Queen of all. I miss our daily calls & recipe exchange. Fly high & kiss all out loved ones that have gone before us.
pattu and tiny martin says
TO my beautiful angel of a sister my hearts hurts every minute o f every day .im glad we got to take you to utah not knowing id be our last time together we had so many plans,fly high ….hug everyone for us glad you and terry are with abby and gabby love you always….patti and tiny martin
Rebecca Reber-Burness says
Barb and I were the best of friends in High School. We had many fun escapades together. I remember her early days vividly as a new mom, her love for her little family and the fun and magic of “Tubby Wubby Daycare.” Her daughters Grace and Lotus were her pride and joy. Life moved on and we lost touch over the years. We’d see each other at Class reunions and one last time in 2019 at my brother Mike’s memorial. Our friendship always continued where it left off. We’d hug and kiss each other, she called me “Bec Erma,” and I tried in vain to get a word in edgewise! Her passing brought me sadness and disbelief. My love goes out to her beautiful daughters and family. Beautiful inside and out, I will carry a piece of her in my heart, forever. Safe travels sweet girl and say hi to Mike and my dad, PWR.❤️
Carolyn Truscott says
I met Barbara as part of the cast of “Moonmaid”, a play written by Dorothy Harper of Helena. This play was performed in Carroll College’s Little Theater in 1970. Moonmaid was a story about the northern Cheyenne’s spiritual connections to earth. It was a beautiful memory to meet her and be part of that native connection.
Colleen Murphy says
Barb was truly a wonderful, kind, and fun friend. I have many happy memories of her. She touched so many lives and will be missed by all.
Colleen Murphy says
Barb was a kind, wonderful, and generous person. She touched many people’s lives and will be missed by many. I have such happy memories of our adventures together.
Evy Burris Sass says
Dear Family & Loved ones of your precious Barb. Sending my heart felt condolences to you. Barb & Terry & I go way back to the 80’s & even longer before they were a couple. Wow, did we ever have adventures that would read as an action packed novel. Barb is a Special Lady with hundreds of qualities. She dedicated years taking good care of Terry & was always a hard working partner. Her sudden death shook the very core of my being. I called her phone twice just to hear her voice once again. I miss you my friend, I miss Terry, I miss Chet, & Alma & Chester. You’re all together with all your loved ones that have gone on before you. I remain your Fan & Friend Barb. Evy Burris Sass
David and Rosemary Wood says
Jan 8,2021- We just hear of Barb’s death and we are in total shock. As Barb would say we were best friends even though we didn’t see each other as often as we would have liked. We are truly sick about this and that her beloved little dog and cat died with her. I guess that would be what she would have wanted. Everyone is now together. We do not have the words to express our sorrow to her family except to say how we will miss her as we did Terry. We hope her children continue only remembering the good times and not the hurt of her loss. We loved Barb. I wish I had called her for all the times I was thinking of her.