Barbara Allen Forcier

Barbara Forcier, age 80, passed away April 1, 2013, two days after her milestone 80th birthday. She was at home in the arms of her daughter, Mona, when she passed from this world to be with the Lord in Heaven. Cancer did NOT win...God just needed another angel in Heaven. Barbara was born March 30, 1933 in Miles City, Montana to Charles & Mary (Pluhar) Pestka.

Barbara was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School Class of 1951 in Miles City, Montana. She worked at a bank while in school. After her children were raised, she worked as a secretary for Roach & Monahan Law Office and later would fill in as a receptionist at Linscott, Wylie & Blize. She enjoyed being a “people person” and meeting new people. She had an abundance of friends and family that meant the world to her.

On August 1 1953, she married Ben Forcier at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City, Montana. He passed away on June 27, 1997.

Barbara was raised on a sheep and cattle ranch in Cohagen, Mt. She had a soft heart and a love for the “bum” lambs. Later in life, she had sheep and all of them were named. She would bottle feed any lambs that were struggling and she managed to save most of them.

Barabara had many passions in life. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs. She loved genealogy and was always thrilled to locate new family members. She was instrumental in assisting with a family reunion last summer to celebrate 101 years on the family homestead in Cohagen, Montana. Although she lived in Walla Walla since 1959, she still thought of Cohagen as home. She loved Mac computers and her iPhone and would often be seen texting. She was proud to call herself the “High Tech Granny of Walla Walla.”

Barbara was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Altar Society and Catholic Daughters of the America Court St. Cecelia #668. She had received her 50 year pin from Catholic Daughters and was very proud when her daughter, Mona, followed in her footsteps and became a member.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters, Roxy Johnson of Portland, OR and Mona & husband James Purcell of Walla Walla, 3 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild all in the Portland area. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Forcier, son, Craig Forcier, infant son, Mark Forcier, her parents Charles and Mary (Pluhar) Pestka and a sister, Ramona Skomski.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 10:00 AM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 6:00 PM at the funeral home with Father Paul Cochran officiating. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Paul Cochran, Celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart High School of Miles City, MT or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the funeral home.