Barbara Worcester Stephen passed away on July 5, 2021, after a valiant struggle with complications from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
She was born Barbara Livingston Worcester to Donald Emmett Worcester and Barbara Livingston Peck in Berkeley, California, on May 27, 1945, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Later she lived In Gainesville, Florida, where her father was a professor at the University of Florida, as well as in Spain, while her father furthered his studies.
After graduating from Gainesville High School in 1963, she and her family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where her father became chair of the history department at Texas Christian University. Barb graduated from TCU in 3 years in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. That same year, Barb married Spencer Tucker; they divorced in 1973.
Barb worked for the Texas State Employment Service and married Michael Stephen (who died of cancer in 1993). After moving to Helena, Montana, she worked for the Department of Labor and Industry for several years and attended Montana Tech in Butte, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science; this led to her new career as a software engineer for Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she worked until her retirement in 2007.
Barb met Ron Solberg, her life partner for the next 28 years, at the YMCA gym. During their very special relationship, they built their dream home, created a place for her beloved rescue horses, and traveled. Favorite trips included a month on the South Island of New Zealand and hiking the Grand Canyon several times (including hiking from the rim to the river and back in one day, and then laughing at each other for days as they hobbled around trying to recover).
Barb was an immensely kind-hearted and loving person. She adored animals, especially horses and dogs, and supported many animal-rescue organizations. Her lifelong love of horses (especially her beloved Panama and Jett) led to her competing in dressage events in Florida, Texas, and Montana. Barb was a voracious reader of books. She loved learning about the natural world, especially geology and astronomy. On road trips she would read up on the local geology and current position of the planets and stars. About the only time you’d see her watching TV would be a PBS Nova or Nature program.
She also had a passion for cooking, and there was no complicated recipe she wasn’t willing to take on.
Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Donald Emmett Worcester and Barbara Livingston Peck, and her twin sister Betty Worcester.
She is survived by partner Ron Solberg of Helena, Montana, and Ron’s daughters Jessica Solberg (Gavin Remaley) of Boise, Idaho, and Regina (Chad) Hultin of Helena, and Ron’s grandchildren Nathan Hultin and Ava Hultin; brother Harris (Julie) Worcester, of Aledo, Texas; niece Melanie (Denny) Whitson of Dallas, Texas; nephew Jonas (Pia) Adler of Salt Lake City, Utah; niece and nephews Elysia, Tristen, and Angus Worcester of Aledo, Texas; great-nieces and nephews Kiley, Avery, Cole, and Brice Whitson of Dallas, Texas; and great-nephew Asa Adler of Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an animal-rescue organization of your choice.
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.
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John & Cherie Dahl says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Barb was a friend from our days working together at Blue Cross/Blue Shield 🙏
Bridger Veterinary Hospital says
To all of Barb’s family and friends,
We want you to know that we’re thinking of you with thoughts and prayers. Barb was such a beautiful person both inside and out. We got to know both Jett and Panama and you could feel the love she had for her animals.
Please take care, Keith and Shar Stav
Erin Snyder says
Dear Barb’s Family,
Thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy and remembering Barb with much affection. I worked with her at BCBSMT, and she was a lovely, kind person.
God’s Peace to you,
Erin Snyder
Mark & Annette Williams says
Mark’s and my sincerest sympathies to Barb’s family and Ron. I’m sure you will all miss hearing Barb’s voice, seeing her wonderful smile and hearing about her enthusiasm for life and her adventures.
It has taken me a long time to try and gather my thoughts about my dear friend and yet I still can’t seem to find the words to share with you all how much she meant to me and how much I am missing her. Barb was such a beautiful person both inside and out and the kindest person I have known. I will miss our breakfasts at Perkins although I’m sure the staff will not miss us sitting at a table for a couple of hours drinking coffee as we caught up on each other’s lives. Barb always asked for “dry toast” which always made me giggle a bit inside because she did not need to count calories. She was so kind to all animals and loved her horses. It was heartbreaking for her when she decided she needed to find Jett a new home. I still have her last text message to me on my phone from the end of June, had hoped she would be with us a while longer and I could see her again.
Take care, Annette
Carla Ainslie says
My late father Kirk Ainslie dated Barb back when they were students at Gainesville High. Though their relationship didn’t work out, for a brief time they were in email contact with each other before Barb’s retirement from BCBS. He remembered her as an intelligent woman and a natural born caregiver. He particularly recalled her bond with horses, and he was glad she found enduring love. I am sorry I never got to inform my father of Barb’s passing. I stumbled upon this obituary when trying to figure out the best way to inform her of my own father’s recent passing. It is clear she had quite a life, and though I am late in doing so, I offer my condolences to all who loved her. My father thought highly of Barb.