Barb Dufour

August 23, 1946 - January 8, 2021

Barbara (Barb) Jean Dufour was born at Deaconess Hospital in Salem, Oregon, to Evelyn and Harold Wilson on August 23, 1946.  She passed into heaven January 8, 2021 and God's Angel went to her eternal home.
 
Barb attended Englewood Grade School for her early student years then onto Parrish Junior High and lastly graduated from North Salem High School.  Barb played piano and clarinet for many years.  She was also a member of Future Business Leaders and Y teens.  After high school Barb attended Oregon State University and went on to work at the State Farm regional offices.
 
She met her husband, Ron at a dance class at North Salem High. Little did she know that in that very class, she had met the love of her life. They went steady for four years and engaged for two years. They were inseparable and only apart when Ron was overseas in the service. Barb and Ron were married on October 12, 1968 in Salem. They resided in the Keizer area for the remainder of their marriage.
 
She left State Farm to be a stay at home mom when their first son, Jon was born August 1973.  Four years later, their second son Jim came along in December 1977.  Barb had found her calling in her sons.  Barb raised her boys in a Christian home, always encouraging them to be the best they could be, and they did that.  She attended all their activities during their youth. Barb was proud of the men they became and the families they raised.
 
Barb was a grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren: two grandsons and two granddaughters.  She would continue to attend many of their activities: sports, dance/cheer, Tae Kwon Do and theater to name a few.  The grandchildren would accompany Barb and Ron on camping trips as well as spend many nights over at their home.  Barb adored and cherished her grandchildren referring to them as the joy of her life.

Retirement came along, Barb and Ron traveled across the country in an amazing trip.  They later bought a 5th wheel where Barb and Ron had wonderful, fun times together going to the beach and Sisters, Oregon, or camping with family. Barb enjoyed scrapbooking and toll painting with her friends and genealogy.  She rallied the family together for birthdays and holidays.
 
In October 2017, on a routine doctor's visit, she was informed she had advanced metastatic lung cancer and it was recommended to get her affairs in order.  Barb defied the odds given by doctors and fought off the cancer.  She had been cancer free for two years until she developed radiation dementia, that she fought to the very last minute. She passed gracefully into the arms of Jesus.
 
 
Barb was a sweet, caring and loving person her entire life and loved her family.  She had a life well lived and was loved by many.

Barb was known by many names, wife, mother, grandma, grammie, mother-in-law, and friend.  She is survived by her husband Ron, her two sons, Jon (Sharon) with grandsons Riley and Aiden, and Jim (Mishele) with granddaughters Serena and Brooklyn.

We love her and will miss her every day.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to cancer research.