Barbara Eileen Oxford-Leep

Barbara Eileen Oxford-Leep passed away on October 29, 2015 at 8 a.m. in Aberdeen, Wash. She was born Dec. 5, 1926 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, the third child and only daughter of George and Nadine Oxford, who had six children. Barbara had five brothers: Charles, Milus, Irley, Wesley and Neal.

She grew up on the family’s farm in the log home that her father built. She worked hard performing chores such as milking cows and plucking chickens. During this time, one of her favorite memories was fishing with her father on Mission and Meadow Creeks.

On Oct. 5, 1945 Barbara maried Robert Henry Leep, the oldest child of Robert Wallace Leep and Helen Andrews. Together, they had four children: Robert Garry, Margaret “Maurene,” Kevin George and James Wesley.

After living in Hawaii, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Maryland and California, they finally settled in Eureka, Calif. where they lived for 40 years. During this time, Barbara enjoyed fishing with her children and grandchildren, camping with friends and family, and hunting for agates on the Northern California beaches.

Barbara was a Christian of great faith and compassion who made everyone know that they were special to her. She was loved by all. She passed away peacefully and without pain, and left behind two brothers, Irley and Wesley, and her four children. She also left behing 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren resulting from the marriages of Robert to Elizabeth Kjer, Maurene to Jim Holt, Kevin to Lisa Brown and James to Melinda Brown.