Barbara passed away peacefully in West Seattle in the company of her family. Born to Loriene Marie Benston and Walter Lloyd Zahren on 02 Feb 1944, Barbara grew up with her sister Kathy in King Co., attending Bothell High School. Her stepfather was Delbert Burke Jr. She married Pete Harper on 14 Dec 1963 at St. Monica's Catholic Church in Mercer Island. Together they had 3 children, Jeff, Tim and Lynn, and 4 grandchildren, Julia, Grace, Harper and Avery, in almost 60 years of marriage. May God bless you Babrbara.
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Barbara Ann (Gus) Harper passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 after a short illness. Born February 2, 1944 she was raised in what is now Brier, Washington. She graduated from Bothell High School in 1962. She met her husband Peter, and they were married in December 1963. Together they raised their three children Jeffrey, Timothy, and Lynn in Shoreline where they were all active in St. Luke Parish. Barbara loved being a stay-at-home mom to support her children as they grew into their teenage years.
Barbara's passion for helping others, especially children, led her back to school where she graduated from Shoreline Community College, Western Washington University, and Antioch University. She coordinated child and family services for many schools and organizations emphasizing education as vital for adolescent development.
In 1987 her path took a different direction when she was hired by the Washington State Bar Association as the Assistant Director of the newly created Lawyer Assistance Program. In 1993 she became Director of the Lawyer Services Department where she remained until her retirement in 2010.
Barbara was actively involved in the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Services Programs, and in 2009 she was presented with the Commission's Distinguished Services Award. It was only the second time in the twenty-two-year history of the Commission that it had been awarded.
Barbara had many interests which she and Peter were able to enjoy together. Travel, especially to England, filled the last 20 years of their lives together. She loved gardening, photography, antiquing, and their many trips to the Pike Place Market. But most of all she loved her family and the time she and Peter were able to spend with them. She was the "always there for them" mom for Jeff, Tim, and Lynn. She was the doting gramma to Julia, Grace, Hayes, and Avery and they loved her back as much as she loved them. Watching them grow and thrive filled her heart with pride and joy.
Barbara is survived by Peter and sons Jeff (Liz), Tim (Susan), and Lynn (Tim). She is also survived by her grandchildren, sisters Joan Freer and Jean Ernesti, brothers Mike, Brad, and their extended families, and Patty Harper. She was predeceased by her parents Delbert and Loriene Burke and her sister Kathy Templin.
Since her passing Peter and her family continue to be reminded by her friends about how important Barbara's presence was in their lives. She had great warmth and compassion for others, and her listening skills were welcomed by many voices. We cherish the memories, and we are all diminished by her absence. We are reminded that grief is like a long journey - you wake up every morning in a different place.
A "Celebration Of Life" Memorial will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024*, from 1 to 4 pm at Palisade Restaurant in Seattle. All who knew Barbara and would like to celebrate her life with us are welcome to attend. [rescheduled to Jan 28, 2024 because of weather]
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Barbara Ann (Gus) Harper passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 after a short illness. Born February 2, 1944 she was raised in what is now Brier, Washington. She graduated from Bothell High School in 1962. She met her husband Peter, and they were married in December 1963. Together they raised their three children Jeffrey, Timothy, and Lynn in Shoreline where they were all active in St. Luke Parish. Barbara loved being a stay-at-home mom to support her children as they grew into their teenage years.
Barbara's passion for helping others, especially children, led her back to school where she graduated from Shoreline Community College, Western Washington University, and Antioch University. She coordinated child and family services for many schools and organizations emphasizing education as vital for adolescent development.
In 1987 her path took a different direction when she was hired by the Washington State Bar Association as the Assistant Director of the newly created Lawyer Assistance Program. In 1993 she became Director of the Lawyer Services Department where she remained until her retirement in 2010.
Barbara was actively involved in the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Services Programs, and in 2009 she was presented with the Commission's Distinguished Services Award. It was only the second time in the twenty-two-year history of the Commission that it had been awarded.
Barbara had many interests which she and Peter were able to enjoy together. Travel, especially to England, filled the last 20 years of their lives together. She loved gardening, photography, antiquing, and their many trips to the Pike Place Market. But most of all she loved her family and the time she and Peter were able to spend with them. She was the "always there for them" mom for Jeff, Tim, and Lynn. She was the doting gramma to Julia, Grace, Hayes, and Avery and they loved her back as much as she loved them. Watching them grow and thrive filled her heart with pride and joy.
Barbara is survived by Peter and sons Jeff (Liz), Tim (Susan), and Lynn (Tim). She is also survived by her grandchildren, sisters Joan Freer and Jean Ernesti, brothers Mike, Brad, and their extended families, and Patty Harper. She was predeceased by her parents Delbert and Loriene Burke and her sister Kathy Templin.
Since her passing Peter and her family continue to be reminded by her friends about how important Barbara's presence was in their lives. She had great warmth and compassion for others, and her listening skills were welcomed by many voices. We cherish the memories, and we are all diminished by her absence. We are reminded that grief is like a long journey - you wake up every morning in a different place.
A "Celebration Of Life" Memorial will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024*, from 1 to 4 pm at Palisade Restaurant in Seattle. All who knew Barbara and would like to celebrate her life with us are welcome to attend. [rescheduled to Jan 28, 2024 because of weather]
Barbara passed away peacefully in West Seattle in the company of her family. Born to Loriene Marie Benston and Walter Lloyd Zahren on 02 Feb 1944, Barbara grew up with her sister Kathy in King Co., attending Bothell High School. Her stepfather was Delbert Burke Jr. She married Pete Harper on 14 Dec 1963 at St. Monica's Catholic Church in Mercer Island. Together they had 3 children, Jeff, Tim and Lynn, and 4 grandchildren, Julia, Grace, Harper and Avery, in almost 60 years of marriage. May God bless you Babrbara.
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Barbara Ann (Gus) Harper passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 after a short illness. Born February 2, 1944 she was raised in what is now Brier, Washington. She graduated from Bothell High School in 1962. She met her husband Peter, and they were married in December 1963. Together they raised their three children Jeffrey, Timothy, and Lynn in Shoreline where they were all active in St. Luke Parish. Barbara loved being a stay-at-home mom to support her children as they grew into their teenage years.
Barbara's passion for helping others, especially children, led her back to school where she graduated from Shoreline Community College, Western Washington University, and Antioch University. She coordinated child and family services for many schools and organizations emphasizing education as vital for adolescent development.
In 1987 her path took a different direction when she was hired by the Washington State Bar Association as the Assistant Director of the newly created Lawyer Assistance Program. In 1993 she became Director of the Lawyer Services Department where she remained until her retirement in 2010.
Barbara was actively involved in the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Services Programs, and in 2009 she was presented with the Commission's Distinguished Services Award. It was only the second time in the twenty-two-year history of the Commission that it had been awarded.
Barbara had many interests which she and Peter were able to enjoy together. Travel, especially to England, filled the last 20 years of their lives together. She loved gardening, photography, antiquing, and their many trips to the Pike Place Market. But most of all she loved her family and the time she and Peter were able to spend with them. She was the "always there for them" mom for Jeff, Tim, and Lynn. She was the doting gramma to Julia, Grace, Hayes, and Avery and they loved her back as much as she loved them. Watching them grow and thrive filled her heart with pride and joy.
Barbara is survived by Peter and sons Jeff (Liz), Tim (Susan), and Lynn (Tim). She is also survived by her grandchildren, sisters Joan Freer and Jean Ernesti, brothers Mike, Brad, and their extended families, and Patty Harper. She was predeceased by her parents Delbert and Loriene Burke and her sister Kathy Templin.
Since her passing Peter and her family continue to be reminded by her friends about how important Barbara's presence was in their lives. She had great warmth and compassion for others, and her listening skills were welcomed by many voices. We cherish the memories, and we are all diminished by her absence. We are reminded that grief is like a long journey - you wake up every morning in a different place.
A "Celebration Of Life" Memorial will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024*, from 1 to 4 pm at Palisade Restaurant in Seattle. All who knew Barbara and would like to celebrate her life with us are welcome to attend. [rescheduled to Jan 28, 2024 because of weather]
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Barbara Ann (Gus) Harper passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 after a short illness. Born February 2, 1944 she was raised in what is now Brier, Washington. She graduated from Bothell High School in 1962. She met her husband Peter, and they were married in December 1963. Together they raised their three children Jeffrey, Timothy, and Lynn in Shoreline where they were all active in St. Luke Parish. Barbara loved being a stay-at-home mom to support her children as they grew into their teenage years.
Barbara's passion for helping others, especially children, led her back to school where she graduated from Shoreline Community College, Western Washington University, and Antioch University. She coordinated child and family services for many schools and organizations emphasizing education as vital for adolescent development.
In 1987 her path took a different direction when she was hired by the Washington State Bar Association as the Assistant Director of the newly created Lawyer Assistance Program. In 1993 she became Director of the Lawyer Services Department where she remained until her retirement in 2010.
Barbara was actively involved in the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Services Programs, and in 2009 she was presented with the Commission's Distinguished Services Award. It was only the second time in the twenty-two-year history of the Commission that it had been awarded.
Barbara had many interests which she and Peter were able to enjoy together. Travel, especially to England, filled the last 20 years of their lives together. She loved gardening, photography, antiquing, and their many trips to the Pike Place Market. But most of all she loved her family and the time she and Peter were able to spend with them. She was the "always there for them" mom for Jeff, Tim, and Lynn. She was the doting gramma to Julia, Grace, Hayes, and Avery and they loved her back as much as she loved them. Watching them grow and thrive filled her heart with pride and joy.
Barbara is survived by Peter and sons Jeff (Liz), Tim (Susan), and Lynn (Tim). She is also survived by her grandchildren, sisters Joan Freer and Jean Ernesti, brothers Mike, Brad, and their extended families, and Patty Harper. She was predeceased by her parents Delbert and Loriene Burke and her sister Kathy Templin.
Since her passing Peter and her family continue to be reminded by her friends about how important Barbara's presence was in their lives. She had great warmth and compassion for others, and her listening skills were welcomed by many voices. We cherish the memories, and we are all diminished by her absence. We are reminded that grief is like a long journey - you wake up every morning in a different place.
A "Celebration Of Life" Memorial will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024*, from 1 to 4 pm at Palisade Restaurant in Seattle. All who knew Barbara and would like to celebrate her life with us are welcome to attend. [rescheduled to Jan 28, 2024 because of weather]
See more Harper or Zahren Burke memorials in:
- Find a Grave Harper or Zahren Burke
