Barbara Jean Portanova was born February 6, 1956 in Seattle, WA to Thomas and Margaret Moore. She was the youngest of five children who all grew up at the family home in West Seattle. Summers were spent with extended family and friends at the Moore cabin on Hood Head Island in Jefferson County. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1974 before attending Washington State University.
Barb met John Portanova Jr. in 1980 while he was on shore duty from the Navy. The two dated for a couple years before moving in together in Port Orchard, WA. When John was honorably discharged in 1984, the two decided to settle in Kitsap County. They were married on July 14, 1984 and moved onto the Poulsbo property where they would remain for the rest of their lives.
Their new family would grow with two children, born in 1985 and 1988. Barb loved being a mother, she spent any time she could with her kids. Whether it was soccer games, Cub/Girl Scouts meetings, or choir functions, she was always there to offer support. And although she now had one of her own, Barb always kept in touch with her family across the Puget Sound via visits and phone calls.
Barbara worked several jobs throughout the years. Despite living in Poulsbo, she maintained her job as a phone operator at Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle as she started her family. As her children began school, Barb transitioned into a career as an education aide. She worked at Suquamish Elementary for many years as a lunchroom and recess aide and art docent. Soon after Kingston High School opened its doors, she transferred there to assist with the school's special education program. Her fellow aides became lifelong friends and would continue to be a part of her life even after her retirement in 2017.
Through her positions in education, Barbara was able to cultivate her love of art and children. She spoke with great pride about everyone she taught and would keep up on what was happening in their lives after they left school. Painting also filled her heart. Weekends were spent watching Bob Ross and creating landscapes of her own. Not even her health could keep her from canvas, as recently as two months before her death Barb could be found painting memories of her family cabin from her hospital bed.
Barbara became a grandma in 2017, and from that point on she was known as Grandma Barb. She adored her two grandsons and never let a visit go by without smothering them in kisses. Time spent with them brought her tremendous joy and a smile that never seemed to leave her face.
Barbara passed away on May 12, 2023 at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Her husband had passed just 5 months earlier, she didn't want to wait long to see him again.
Barbara is survived by her son John III (Valarie), daughter Katie, grandchildren Henry and Wyatt, sister Kris (Terry), and grandpup Lucy. She was preceded in death by her husband John Jr., her parents Thomas and Margaret, and siblings Kathy, Tom, and Teresa.
Barbara's final resting place will be Tahoma National Cemetery alongside her veteran husband. A celebration of life will be held at the Greater Hansville Community Center (6778 Buck Lake Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340) on Sunday, July 9th at 1:00pm, just 5 days before John & Barb's 39th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Barb met John Portanova Jr. in 1980 while he was on shore duty from the Navy. The two dated for a couple years before moving in together in Port Orchard, WA. When John was honorably discharged in 1984, the two decided to settle in Kitsap County. They were married on July 14, 1984 and moved onto the Poulsbo property where they would remain for the rest of their lives.
Their new family would grow with two children, born in 1985 and 1988. Barb loved being a mother, she spent any time she could with her kids. Whether it was soccer games, Cub/Girl Scouts meetings, or choir functions, she was always there to offer support. And although she now had one of her own, Barb always kept in touch with her family across the Puget Sound via visits and phone calls.
Barbara worked several jobs throughout the years. Despite living in Poulsbo, she maintained her job as a phone operator at Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle as she started her family. As her children began school, Barb transitioned into a career as an education aide. She worked at Suquamish Elementary for many years as a lunchroom and recess aide and art docent. Soon after Kingston High School opened its doors, she transferred there to assist with the school's special education program. Her fellow aides became lifelong friends and would continue to be a part of her life even after her retirement in 2017.
Through her positions in education, Barbara was able to cultivate her love of art and children. She spoke with great pride about everyone she taught and would keep up on what was happening in their lives after they left school. Painting also filled her heart. Weekends were spent watching Bob Ross and creating landscapes of her own. Not even her health could keep her from canvas, as recently as two months before her death Barb could be found painting memories of her family cabin from her hospital bed.
Barbara became a grandma in 2017, and from that point on she was known as Grandma Barb. She adored her two grandsons and never let a visit go by without smothering them in kisses. Time spent with them brought her tremendous joy and a smile that never seemed to leave her face.
Barbara passed away on May 12, 2023 at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Her husband had passed just 5 months earlier, she didn't want to wait long to see him again.
Barbara is survived by her son John III (Valarie), daughter Katie, grandchildren Henry and Wyatt, sister Kris (Terry), and grandpup Lucy. She was preceded in death by her husband John Jr., her parents Thomas and Margaret, and siblings Kathy, Tom, and Teresa.
Barbara's final resting place will be Tahoma National Cemetery alongside her veteran husband. A celebration of life will be held at the Greater Hansville Community Center (6778 Buck Lake Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340) on Sunday, July 9th at 1:00pm, just 5 days before John & Barb's 39th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Barbara Jean Portanova was born February 6, 1956 in Seattle, WA to Thomas and Margaret Moore. She was the youngest of five children who all grew up at the family home in West Seattle. Summers were spent with extended family and friends at the Moore cabin on Hood Head Island in Jefferson County. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1974 before attending Washington State University.
Barb met John Portanova Jr. in 1980 while he was on shore duty from the Navy. The two dated for a couple years before moving in together in Port Orchard, WA. When John was honorably discharged in 1984, the two decided to settle in Kitsap County. They were married on July 14, 1984 and moved onto the Poulsbo property where they would remain for the rest of their lives.
Their new family would grow with two children, born in 1985 and 1988. Barb loved being a mother, she spent any time she could with her kids. Whether it was soccer games, Cub/Girl Scouts meetings, or choir functions, she was always there to offer support. And although she now had one of her own, Barb always kept in touch with her family across the Puget Sound via visits and phone calls.
Barbara worked several jobs throughout the years. Despite living in Poulsbo, she maintained her job as a phone operator at Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle as she started her family. As her children began school, Barb transitioned into a career as an education aide. She worked at Suquamish Elementary for many years as a lunchroom and recess aide and art docent. Soon after Kingston High School opened its doors, she transferred there to assist with the school's special education program. Her fellow aides became lifelong friends and would continue to be a part of her life even after her retirement in 2017.
Through her positions in education, Barbara was able to cultivate her love of art and children. She spoke with great pride about everyone she taught and would keep up on what was happening in their lives after they left school. Painting also filled her heart. Weekends were spent watching Bob Ross and creating landscapes of her own. Not even her health could keep her from canvas, as recently as two months before her death Barb could be found painting memories of her family cabin from her hospital bed.
Barbara became a grandma in 2017, and from that point on she was known as Grandma Barb. She adored her two grandsons and never let a visit go by without smothering them in kisses. Time spent with them brought her tremendous joy and a smile that never seemed to leave her face.
Barbara passed away on May 12, 2023 at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Her husband had passed just 5 months earlier, she didn't want to wait long to see him again.
Barbara is survived by her son John III (Valarie), daughter Katie, grandchildren Henry and Wyatt, sister Kris (Terry), and grandpup Lucy. She was preceded in death by her husband John Jr., her parents Thomas and Margaret, and siblings Kathy, Tom, and Teresa.
Barbara's final resting place will be Tahoma National Cemetery alongside her veteran husband. A celebration of life will be held at the Greater Hansville Community Center (6778 Buck Lake Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340) on Sunday, July 9th at 1:00pm, just 5 days before John & Barb's 39th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Barb met John Portanova Jr. in 1980 while he was on shore duty from the Navy. The two dated for a couple years before moving in together in Port Orchard, WA. When John was honorably discharged in 1984, the two decided to settle in Kitsap County. They were married on July 14, 1984 and moved onto the Poulsbo property where they would remain for the rest of their lives.
Their new family would grow with two children, born in 1985 and 1988. Barb loved being a mother, she spent any time she could with her kids. Whether it was soccer games, Cub/Girl Scouts meetings, or choir functions, she was always there to offer support. And although she now had one of her own, Barb always kept in touch with her family across the Puget Sound via visits and phone calls.
Barbara worked several jobs throughout the years. Despite living in Poulsbo, she maintained her job as a phone operator at Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle as she started her family. As her children began school, Barb transitioned into a career as an education aide. She worked at Suquamish Elementary for many years as a lunchroom and recess aide and art docent. Soon after Kingston High School opened its doors, she transferred there to assist with the school's special education program. Her fellow aides became lifelong friends and would continue to be a part of her life even after her retirement in 2017.
Through her positions in education, Barbara was able to cultivate her love of art and children. She spoke with great pride about everyone she taught and would keep up on what was happening in their lives after they left school. Painting also filled her heart. Weekends were spent watching Bob Ross and creating landscapes of her own. Not even her health could keep her from canvas, as recently as two months before her death Barb could be found painting memories of her family cabin from her hospital bed.
Barbara became a grandma in 2017, and from that point on she was known as Grandma Barb. She adored her two grandsons and never let a visit go by without smothering them in kisses. Time spent with them brought her tremendous joy and a smile that never seemed to leave her face.
Barbara passed away on May 12, 2023 at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Her husband had passed just 5 months earlier, she didn't want to wait long to see him again.
Barbara is survived by her son John III (Valarie), daughter Katie, grandchildren Henry and Wyatt, sister Kris (Terry), and grandpup Lucy. She was preceded in death by her husband John Jr., her parents Thomas and Margaret, and siblings Kathy, Tom, and Teresa.
Barbara's final resting place will be Tahoma National Cemetery alongside her veteran husband. A celebration of life will be held at the Greater Hansville Community Center (6778 Buck Lake Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340) on Sunday, July 9th at 1:00pm, just 5 days before John & Barb's 39th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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