Longtime Estacada, Oregon resident, Barbara Ruth Gracey, died unexpectedly at home on July 2, 2024. She was 83 years old.
Recitation of the rosary will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00am and a luncheon in the parish hall.
Barbara was born August 22, 1940 in Hebron, Nebraska to John and Erma (Miller) Baldwin. She was one of 11 children. As a child she moved to the Portland, Oregon area with her family. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy, she married Robert Gracey on September 5, 1959. They moved immediately to Southern California where they started their family, eventually moving back to Portland to be close to her family. In 1968 they moved to Timber Lake Job Corps and joined the closest Catholic Parish, St. Aloysius, nearly 30 miles away. In 1978, they moved and settled in Estacada.
In 1980, Barbara began her accounting career with Equitable Savings and Loan. In 1990, she joined her husband in retirement, looking forward to traveling and continuing her life of service.
Barbara was a very active volunteer and was generous with her time. She served on the Parish Council at St. Aloysius and was on the Board of Directors for St. Vincent DePaul. Barbara also volunteered many hours in the Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital gift shop and worked directly with patients of Mt. Hood Hospice. She continued to “show up” even while she walked through cancer and subsequent remission. As busy as these volunteer opportunities kept her, her priority was always her children, most especially her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She was very involved in their lives and her loss will be felt always. She was happiest when surrounded by her family.]
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Robert (1994).
Survivors include her children; Karen (Robin Sparks), Weise (Dennis Spidal), Jeff Gracey and Theresa (Shayne Wade).Grandchildren; Ryan Spidal (Sydney), Aaron Spidal, Robert Gracey (Ashley) and Brianna Lewis.Great Grandchildren; Ava Gracey, Grace Lewis, Calvin Lewis, Luna Spidal and Jay Spidal. She will also be missed by her sister Sandy Johnson and brothers; Ray Baldwin (Shirley), Bill Baldwin (Jean), Joe Baldwin (Bonnie) and Tom Baldwin. In addition, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews of whom she admired and loved dearly.
Private interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: St. Aloysius/St. Vincent DePaul, Estacada Chapter PO Box 120 Estacada, OR 97023