Barbara Marilyn Jordan

Barbara Marilyn Jordan, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, surrounded by family.

She is survived by her three children, Greg, Terry, and Wendy, brother Ken, four grandchildren (Talise, Michael, Jenni, and Jordan), and one great grandchild (Anna). A fifth grandchild (Hugh) preceded her in death.

Barbara was born in Cheyenne Wells, CO on February 15, 1936 to parents William and Margaret Fry. She grew up in Alamosa, CO with her older brother Ken. Once married, Barbara, her husband Mel, and their three children spent two years in Laramie, WY while Mel pursued his doctorate.

The family moved to Bend in 1968 and Barbara resided there for 54 years. Following her divorce, Barbara served as director of the Central Oregon Bar Association Legal Aid Program for 10 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University through the Central Oregon Community College extension program, then temporarily moved to Corvallis to obtain a master’s degree in counseling. Upon completion, she returned to Bend, where she spent the next 20 years as a counselor with Deschutes County Mental Health before her retirement.

Barbara embraced life with joy and was a lifelong learner. While living in Bend, she was active with OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the U of O. She was also involved with PEO, the Philanthropic Educational Organization, and loved being a member of BUGs, the Bend Ukulele Group as well as serving on the board of governors for the Community Theatre of the Cascades. Health and fitness were important to her, so she ran, worked out at the Bend Athletic Club, and participated in yoga. She was also a team member for Pole, Pedal, Paddle! She loved traveling with a companion and made trips to Europe twice, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and many states, with Sedona, AZ a favorite. She so loved Oregon and Bend and was always taking “adventures” in the area.

In 2022, Barbara moved to Seattle, where she resided in the beautiful University House retirement community. She loved her life there and received wonderful assistance and companionship from staff, residents, daughter Wendy, son-in-law Hugh, and Jordan (grandchild)! She enjoyed signing up for every activity at University House, exploring her new city, and getting together with family to watch Seahawks games.

Barbara had a huge heart, perhaps explaining why she collected hearts of all shapes and sizes and filled her house with them! She was an exceptional mother who loved her family and friends unconditionally. Family meant everything to her, and she relished every chance to connect. She greeted even strangers with a warm smile, kindness, acceptance, and nonjudgment. Barbara was capable, courageous, loving, and simply an exceptionally good human being!

She also had spunk. When she was 70, and driving her car one day, she heard the on-air personality from the local radio station make some joke about old 70-year-olds. Barbara—who always looked younger than her years—turned the car around, drove to the radio station, walked in and said, “This is what a 70-year-old looks like. And you can’t tell me that I’m less interesting than you!”

She will be greatly missed in this world but is now enriching another!