Barbara Hall Manierre

Barbara Manierre passed away in Walla Walla on December 16, 2024, surrounded by her close family. Barbara was born in Dayton, Ohio, on June 12, 1947, to James Stafford Hall and Betty Craig Hall. As an only child, Barbara received the full love and attention of her parents, sharing only with their beloved dogs. While Barbara had no siblings, her first cousin, Rob Craig, filled the role of brother. Rob was in Barbara's class in school and spent a great deal of his time over at her house, where he found Betty's cooking more to his liking than the cooking at home.

Barbara received her early education in the Oakwood public schools in Dayton, though she and her family lived in Fort Worth when she was in the 3rd through 8th grades. Barbara often talked of the customs she learned in Fort Worth which caused some laughter when she returned to Dayton, such as carrying a purse to school in the 9th grade. Barbara graduated from Oakwood High School in 1965. Several of her classmates remained close friends with Barbara throughout her life and join with her family in mourning her loss.

Barbara attended her parents' alma mater Denison University in Granville, Ohio, graduating with honors in 1969. Barbara made many wonderful friends at Denison who kept in close touch with her though they lived great distances apart. Barbara was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Denison, as had been her mother. Both Barbara and her mother, known as Mimi, were delighted when Barbara's younger daughter, Samantha, joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter at Whitman College.

After Denison, Barbara moved to New York City to pursue a graduate degree in psychology at City College. The program differed greatly from the training she had received at Denison, so she moved on to Wall Street to be a broker's assistant. While in New York, Barbara lived in SOHO, which wasn't very nice when she lived there. She often told the story of rushing out to work one day only to find that she had to step over a dead body to get to the sidewalk. She paused to alert the city and then continued on her way to Wall Street.

After New York, Barbara lived briefly in Chicago where she worked in the welfare department. Later, she took the train to San Francisco where she first got another job as a social worker and then pivoted to working for a cable TV company. Finding her job unrewarding in all respects, she enrolled in Hastings Law School (now UC Law SF). The welfare office where she had worked was near Hastings, and her old welfare clients occasionally stopped her on the sidewalk for their checks. While attending Hastings, Barbara served as an editor of the law journal and supported herself with legally related part-time jobs, including a stint at the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. In her third year, her soon to be husband Bill Manierre introduced himself to her after spending two years building up his courage. They were married in 1978.

After graduating from Hastings in 1977, Barbara worked as a lawyer for 10 years at the San Francisco firm then known as Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, where she continued her practice of making lifelong friends. After her daughters Lauren and Sam were born, Barbara left the law to become a full-time mother.

Barbara and Bill raised their daughters on Plaza Drive in Berkeley amongst the most wonderful families and friends. In addition to the Berkeley public schools, the girls attended Sierra School, where Barbara served on the board of directors. After successfully guiding Lauren through the college selection process, which led to the University of Denver, Barbara began practicing as an independent college advisor. She was also actively involved with the Berkeley Public Library Foundation and served on its board. Around this time, Barbara began her quilting era, giving many beautiful quilts to friends and family and donating others to be auctioned for charities. Those who received throws, baby blankets or full-sized quilts now cherish them more than ever.

In 2014, both Barbara and Bill retired to Walla Walla, where Sam and her husband Erik were planning to settle. During retirement, Barbara continued her quilt making and served as a director on the boards of the Blue Mountain Land Trust of Walla Walla and the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation, headquartered in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Though living rurally, Barbara and Bill had many travel adventures with both family and friends and regularly spent part of each summer at the Huron Mountain Club in Michigan's U.P. Barbara loved Walla Walla and Huron Mountain and made many dear friends in both places.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bill; their daughter Lauren and her husband Brian Paland, and their children Sydney Weker and Zachary Paland; as well as their daughter Sam, her husband Erik Kofler and their children Charlie and Carter Kofler. Barbara is also survived by her first cousin Rob Craig, his wife Cheryl and their son Andrew Craig, his wife Pauline and their daughter Lillian, named for Barbara and Rob's grandmother.

Barbara was bright, cheerful, competent, generous, direct, elegant and loving. Her family and friends will always remember her gift for making people feel special and loved and will never cease to cherish her memory. Her grandchildren will hold their Yaya in their hearts forever.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation (hmwf.org) or to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center of Seattle (fredhutch.org).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.

Here are links to Barbara’s obituaries in the San Francisco and Walla Walla papers.

https://obituaries.union-bulletin.com/obituary/barbara-manierre-1092536557

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/barbara-manierre-obituary?id=57271661