Barbara Lynn Anthony died February 24, 2012 at the age of 55 in Helena. She leaves behind many family members and friends who will miss her sense of adventure, creativity, kindness and generosity.
Barb was born on May 17, 1956 in Sidney, Nebraska to Leona and LaVern Anthony. The family moved in 1960 to Rapid City, South Dakota, where Barb spent her childhood. The family spent much time outdoors, camping and fishing. Barb was an enthusiastic and optimistic child with a special talent for swimming. At age 12, she was one of the top young swimmers in South Dakota.
Barb graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City in 1974 and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in early childhood development. When she later lived in New Underwood, South Dakota, Barb operated a children’s day care center. When the family moved to Berea, Kentucky she began a career as a stained glass artist creating designs for homes and businesses.
In 1992 Barb and her family moved to Montana where she worked to raise funds for nonprofits and organizations that focused on various social issues and causes that she believed in. She worked at Intermountain Children’s Home, Carroll College, the Indian Law Resource Center, and the Yellowstone Park Foundation. For several years, Barb organized the annual Festival of Trees in Helena.
While living in Montana she pursued her love of adventure and the outdoors. Barb continued swimming and also took up skiing and kayaking. She enjoyed playing tennis competitively and was a longtime member of Helena’s tennis club. She also loved the ocean and traveled as much as possible, visiting Europe, Africa, Australia and countless places in the US. Her sense of adventure and optimism saw no boundaries.
Barb was extremely proud of her three daughters, and devoted to her family, friends and the community. Her energy, inspiration and courage will be greatly missed.
Barb is preceded in death by her brother, Douglas Anthony. She is survived by daughters, Leah (Eric) Merchant, Clare Dreyer, and Anna (Brian) Reardon; her parents, Leona and LaVern Anthony; sister, Susan (Georg Neumann) Anthony; granddaughter, Aila Merchant; niece, Lori Finck; nephew, Matthew Anthony and many other loving family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2012 at Life Covenant Church, 800 North Hoback St., Helena with a reception to follow at the church. In memory of Barbara, please send flowers to the family for the memorial service, c/o Life Covenant Church, 800 N. Hoback St., Helena, MT 59601. Memorial Fund contributions in Barbara’s name may also be sent to the church. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Amy Moran says
We love you Anna, we are so very sorry for your loss. You are so much in our thoughts and prayers.
Andy and Kathleen Howell says
We knew Barb from UMC college bible fellowship group. Barb always enjoyed walking in the rain. Her life and testimony touched our lives. She brought creative beauty and warm compassion to those who knew her. We visited once in Kentucky with our four young children. We share in your loss and sorrow. Our love and prayers are with you. We take comfort that she is in the presence and glory of our Lord and Savior.
Belle Marie says
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brian LaMoure says
I am so so sorry to hear the news. I always loved to hear Barbara laugh. I will miss her.
Cathy Burwell says
My condolences to the family – Barb will be missed by many. She touched so many in her career and was such a beautiful person.
Chris Strainer says
Leah & Eric, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Chris
deb smith says
I’m so shocked. My deepest, most sincere sympathy to her entire family, especially her children.
Debbie and Clark Spranget says
We will miss your great smile and laughter
Elinor Edmunds Miler says
Please accept my sincere sympathies. I’ve known Barb since we our times together at the Montana Association for Female Executives in the mid-1990s. Every time I saw her she offered nothing but encouragement and support, and that beautiful smile. She was so full of life, loving, caring life. She is with the Lord; may that good news give you peace.
Eric Dittbrenner says
I will miss Barb’s enthusiasm and council. Barb had a knack for insight when presented with someone else’s opinions and issues. I will surely miss our many beers and conversations at the Blackfoot, but mostly her infectious laugh that will always echo for me there. To her daughters and family – my deepest sympathies. She will be greatly missed.
Glenna Wortman-Obie says
Barb had a wonderful way with people and a sensitivity and charm that made her a great leader. Working with her on the Board of the Montana Association of Female Executives was a treat because she was willing to try anything for “the cause.” She was a good person and the community will feel the loss. My condolences to her family.
Jan & Denny Matkins says
Lee & Vern,
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the death of your daughter, Barbara. She sounded like a nice, good, and caring person; just like her parents.
Jane Groethe Mincks says
I was shocked and saddened to read of Barb’s passing in the Rapid City Journal. I was also reminded how precious life is and Barb did have a WONDERFUL life. She made a difference in other people’s lives too. You should all be so proud! I just saw you, Mrs. Anthony< not too long ago, and you spoke of your special Barbie! What I saw in the wonderful write-up about Barb was all true when I knew her! Barb was always positive,happy and smiling! I knew her in junior high and high school, and have very fond memories of this bright light! I saw Barb a few years back in Rapid City,and she just looked GREAT. My BEST to her family. With Love and Sympathy, Jane Groethe Mincks
Jane LaMoure says
Leah, Anna, Clair, Lee and Vern.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Your mom was such a vibrant, outgoing and outstanding woman. Even though we had lost touch with one another, I will always remember how much fun she and I had kayaking down the Missouri River and the love she had for the great outdoors. May God Bless you all during this difficult time.
Janet Drexel says
To “The Girls”
Your mother was one of my favorite people in the whole world. I never told her that. I wish I had. I am so sorry for your loss.
Janet Hedges says
Leah, Claire, Anna and family,
Barbara was such a beautiful person that I feel privileged to have known her. I will miss her wonderful smile and contagious laugh. She is at peace now. May your memories give you comfort during this very difficult time.
JANICE SCHENK says
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, sister, daughter and grandmother, Barb was a joy to be around…never knowing what she would think of next! I will miss our long talks/laughs, bouncing ideas off one another, thinking of all life’s possibilities. We will all miss her greatly!
Jo and Ken McLean says
Barb was such a sweet lady, I had the pleasure of working with her and found her always to be such a nice person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Joanne McKinney says
Barb was the most upbeat person. She always brought a smile to me whenever I saw her. Please know that I am praying for God’s grace to surround you all during the days ahead and forever.
John and Ann Torske says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. F
Judy, Jeff and Fisher says
Leah, Eric and Aila,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother, Barb
Karen Kress says
I am so saddened by this loss. My deepest sympathy to Barbara’s family. We knew each other only a short time but connected – we had grand plans. Her intelligence, energy, and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
Karen Land says
I was so saddened to hear about Barb’s passing. I met Barb at the tennis center and she graciously took me under her wing as a novice player. I was very self-conscious about my lack of skills but she made me feel like I was a pro. I enjoyed playing with her, talking, and laughing… I will remember her with a beautiful smile on her face. She always talked of her girls… she was very proud of her family.
Laura Pfister & Mike Lewis says
Leah and family – our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. We’re so sorry for your loss.
Mardi Benson says
Dearest Leah, Clair, and Anna, I am so terribly sorry. I had no idea how much pain she was in. I wish this, I wish that…God be with each of you.
Martin Lewis says
Barbara was always a joy to work with. Every time I met with her she always had such an inviting smile and quest to help. I will miss seeing her at events and Alive at Five. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.
Mary Fisher says
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom and grandma. I worked with Barbara for a short time and appreciated all I learned from her. She had a beautiful smile and a gentleness about her.
Mary Lou & John Fisher says
To the Family of Barbara Anthony,
We were very sorry to read of Barbara’s death. We met and worked with Barbara when she was at the Intermountain Children’s Home. We were very involved with the Festival of Trees and coordinated the “Kitchen” serving lunches on the weekends for serveral years. We loved working with Barbara and we shared many wonderful conversations about volunteerism and the Festival.
We semd our deepest sympathy to each of you. You will all remain in our prayers.
Mary Lou & John Fisher
Meghan Trainor Wirth says
I always enjoyed seeing Barb and talking about swimming and running. She raised three talented, beautiful daughters.
Michael Gottleib says
Anna, Clare, Leah and Eric, and family,
I am so saddened. Barb was a shining light with a gracious presence. I remember the housewarming parties and infectious smile.
Never at a loss for words of welcome and hello, most evident was her pride in her daughters as a source of joy in her life.
She touched us all, and we will miss her.
MIke
Mona (Anthony) Murphy says
I will forever remember Barb’s sweet and caring nature, going back as far as her feeding a little baby lamb with a bottle at your home when she was young. Life takes turns that saddens us so deeply, but I pray for all of you to hold tight to the Lord to guide you through your pain. Her burden is lifted. She is safe with God.
Nina Jaeger says
Dear Leah, Clare and Anna,
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of your mother. I only worked with her briefly but appreciated her infectious enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication to doing good. Even during my three months working with her,I learned a great deal and was so sorry when she left our organization. May your memories of her caring and love for you sustain you during this sad time. I am sure that her best qualities will live on in you and your children.
Nona Keeler says
I will always remember Barb as a vivacious, fun loving, incredible woman who I loved to spend time with.
Patty Schupp says
Leah, Clare and Anna,
I love your mother and I am so very sad. I will always remember her smile and laughter, her friendship and her role as a mother.
She had a wonderful smile and such an easy laugh. How she would smile up at the sun, laughing, as we kayaked down the Missouri. I treasure our times together either meeting for coffee or a quick dinner, catching up on the news about you three. She was a good friend who always made the effort to stay in touch, who was kind and thoughtful, who was a better friend than I. And what a good mother she was! She was an inspiration to me. I frequently told her that she was an exceptional mother and that she should be proud of how well she raised her daughters. She was so proud of you and gave her best to you. You enriched her life with the adventures and memories you all shared. I will miss her deeply and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Patty Schupp
Peggy O'Neill says
So sorry about your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Peggy and Mike
Robb Hansen says
I met Barb in Jumior High School. She was fun, pretty and smart; a great combination. She impacted my life and many more with her kindness and that smile of hers. My sincere condolences.
Steve & Debra Polhemus says
Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. (Robert Louis Stevenson)
May the love of family and friends and the fond memories of Barb surround you and bring you comfort during your period of grief.
TODD GARRISON says
I first met Barb in 2003 and really enjoyed our work together at Intermountain Children’s Home. It pains me greatly that she is no longer with us. I rest in the knowledge that she is… this very moment… in the presence of Jesus Christ, basking in his peace and glory. Barb was a wonderful, passionate, energetic woman, and always had an encouraging word for me. I will miss her.
Tom @ Sherry Cladouhos says
Clare and family,
We’re very sorry to hear about your loss. We are out of town and won’t be able to attend the service, but we will be thinking of you.
With Love,
Tom and Sherry
Tom Beneventi says
Deepest condolences for your loss. I spent time around Barb while working on her home and will always remember her warm smile.
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