Barbara Lee Chester was born in Longview, Washington to Leland Rucker Chester and Alice Collins Chester of Woodland, WA on March 29, 1947, and died peacefully on December 2, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Nick Chester, Kay Chester, Nancy Meng, and Therese Chester Ventgen. She is survived by siblings, Jim Chester, Lenna Mulka, Nora Chester and Margaret Stewart. Barbara was the sixth in a family which would eventually number nine children. The only, brown-eyed brunette, the only left-handed girl in the family, and the only sibling never to "get up" on water skis, Barb was tall and accident prone; non-athletic but adventurous, with a sly sense of humor, and a love of fun. A bit of a wild child, she was mischievous and daring: "Chester's the name, danger's the game!" She was also sensitive and soulful, empathetic and kind,

As a teenager, like so many of the boomer generation in Woodland, she worked at "The Bulb Farm" in the summer and was for several years a Girl Scout counselor at Camp Evergreen. She played saxophone in the High School band, participated in many school clubs, and rooted enthusiastically for all the sports teams. This enthusiasm extended in later years to the Portland Trailblazers, and to the athletic endeavors of her many nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Woodland High School in 1965, she earned a BA from The University of Portland. She spent her sophomore year in the school's international program in Salzburg, Austria, cementing a love of European travel, a continuing involvement with The University of Portland, and lasting friendships with the tight-knit group of fellows "Salzburgers." Enduring friendships made in childhood remained constant over the years, and Barbara continued to make new and meaningful friendships throughout her life.

In her twenties, after living and working in San Francisco, she became Assistant Manager of The Oak Tree Restaurant in Woodland. where she worked for many years. She was a volunteer at Woodland's historic Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens and spent much time at her family's cabin on Lake Merwin. An avid reader, and writer, Barbara also continued her education and pursued her Master's Degree in Journalism. and chronicled much family history throughout her life.

She and her partner, Norm Morrice, found much happiness in their later years.as they spent time together in Palm Desert, CA, as well as at home in Vancouver, WA until his death in 2020. The past few years, health issues curtailed her activities, though she continued to knit and crochet, enjoyed a glass of wine, her cats, socializing with family and friends until she could no longer live on her own. In her final illness she was sustained by the devotion of her friends and family and her strong Catholic faith. She loved and was loved dearly by so many who count themselves blessed to have known her.

A funeral Mass in celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, January 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1520 N. 65th Avenue, Ridgefield, WA followed by internment in the Cemetery attached to the church and a reception in the Church Hall.