1938
Barbara
2022
Barbara Ann Willson
November 23, 1938 — November 29, 2022
Barbara Ann Willson (Sawyer), 84, passed away on Tuesday November 29, 2022 due to complications of MS and to some
extent, the collateral damage from the pandemic shutdowns in which the isolation stole from all of us and caused her
pressure sores from the inactivity. While the MS and wounds didn’t steal her fantastic sharp brain, her body was in
incredible pain the last couple of years and she is now at peace with our Lord and Savior, out of pain, and in glorious
reunion with those who passed before her. She left her earthly body and went to walk with the angels.
Barbara Ann Sawyer was born November 23, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Egg Harbor, a beautiful little
waterside village in Door County, Wisconsin. She graduated from Gibralter High School and soon headed off to Chicago,
where she met and married John (Jack) Patrick Willson in 1957. Between 1959 and 1965, they had 3 children, Susan,
John, and Sherry. They moved to Broomfield, Colorado in 1971 and raised their kids (later divorcing and Jack passing
away in 1982) and Barbara moved to Windsor, Colorado in 1997, to be closer to all of her children.
Barb was a Human Resources Specialist for her hometown bank, which later became part of a large banking corporation.
That change allowed her to work in downtown Denver for a while and ride the bus system to work, which she enjoyed
because she could read or knit and not have to deal with traffic. Before MS put her in a wheelchair, Barb loved bowling
in the neighborhood league, playing softball for her employer’s rec team, and she was the best soccer mom, band and
drum corps mom/chaperone/bingo fundraiser. Traveling to the Portland Rose Festival as a chaperone was a highlight of
those years! In her later years, she enjoyed collecting stamps, reading, and spending hours completing beautiful puzzles.
When she lived in Windsor, she was known for her green thumb and gorgeous roses and irises in her yard – she was
often seen leaning over the arm of her electric cart for hours, dead-heading roses or picking up rocks to line her gardens.
She collected antiques and always enjoyed a trip to the antique store, flea market, or garage sales. Time spent with her
family was her favorite activity though.
She is survived by her son John Willson Jr. and daughter Sherry Bartmann, grandchildren Shane & Jessica Bartmann,
Shiloh Davis (Roman), and her great grandchildren Taylor & Derrick Davis as well as her brother Ron Sawyer (Barbara).
She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan Lewis (Jeff) in August, as well as her parents Emma & Hugo Sawyer,
and her brother and sister-in-law Robert & Catherine Sawyer.
Barb will always be known for her kind and caring heart and how she poured her love into her kids and grandkids.
Grandma Barb’s house was always a soft landing filled with Legos, Lincoln Logs, crayons, soft blankets, a listening ear
and good food! She passed along her love and knowledge of gardening and baking to her kids and grandkids and some
of her beautiful plants live on in their yards and her hand written recipe cards are cherished.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Ann Willson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Funeral Service
Friday, January 20, 2023
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Mark's Funeral and Cremation
Guestbook
Visits: 92
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors