Barbara Louise Richardson

passed away on April 22, 2012, in Poulsbo. Her daughters were by her side. She was 91 years of age. Barbara Louise Smith was born in Tacoma on New Year's Eve, 1920.(April 2013: Barbara's family takes this opportunity to remember, honor and celebrate her life. This is the first anniversary of her passing.)Barbara lived most of her 91 years in the Pacific Northwest, proud of her Norwegian heritage. Her great-grandparents settled in Seattle from Norway in the 1860's. During WWII she met and married Fred Richardson while they were both attending the University of Washington. They were married for 63 years. Fred passed away in 2007.During WWII, Barbara made her contribution to the war effort by excelling in a job traditionally held by men, "draftsman", for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where she worked in mapmaking. Way to go, Mom! You are our own Rosie the Riveter!Like many women, following the war she returned to working in the home and, with Fred, raised her family. Later she went back to school and earned a degree in accounting. She used her accounting degree to work in customer service for the IRS, retiring in time to spend her golden years traveling, studying tai chi, and playing with her grandchildren.Barbara is survived by her three daughters, Sally, Ruth and Maggie, and by Maggie's husband, Rodney Hitchcock. Barbara has four granddaughters, Kira, Keely, Caitlin and Meara, as well as four grandsons, Oak, Reed, Jeremy and Sean.On her birthday this last New Year's Eve, her family gathered on an island she loved to visit. For three days we celebrated Barbara's life with stories, art projects, songs, feasts, and toasts to her life--and a polar bear plunge! We remember your sense of humor, Mom, your swims in the Sound, your stories and your love for your family. Circling forefinger to thumb, you would hold up your hand and tell us everything would work out A-OK! And it always did. We love you.