Barbara Jean Whitley

March 19, 1926 - August 17, 2015

Barbara Jean Whitley, 89, passed away Aug. 17, 2015 at Summitview Care Center in Yakima, Wash. Barbara was born March 19, 1926 in Yakima, Wash. to Hiram and Ella "Fern" Dart. She was raised on the family orchard in Parker Heights, Wash., and attended Wapato schools, graduating in 1945. She attended college at what is now Central Washington University, where she met Edward Whitley at a school dance. They were married at her childhood home in Parker Heights on June 16, 1946, staying happily married for 47 years until Ed's death in 1993. They lived in Seattle while Ed completed his master's degree, then moved back to Wapato where Ed taught at Wapato High School. She was a stay-at-home mom for her three children, Janice, Connie and Richard. The family moved to Moses Lake in 1962, where she completed her associate's degree at Big Bend College, actively participated in Presbyterian Church activities and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir. After Ed's retirement in 1974, they traveled extensively throughout the US. She loved her church activities, her pet cats, photography, playing piano, sewing and other craft projects. She moved to Yakima to be near her children in 2008. She was a member of Yakima Covenant Church.

She is survived by her children, Connie (Loren) Stenhoff of Gleed, and Richard (Diane) Whitley of Prosser; sister-in-law Patricia Dart of Wapato; grandchildren Eric (Amy) Stenhoff, Kelly Stenhoff, Andrea Whitley, Joe (Sara) Whitley and many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings James Dart, Robert Dart and Nancy Smith, husband Edward, and daughter Janice Whitley.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015 at Living Care Community Center, Mayer Auditorium, 215 N. 40th Ave., Yakima, Wash.