Barbara Swofford

Barbara Ruth (Leese) Swofford, 74, of Emmett, Idaho, left us peacefully, at home, on December 29, 2024 surrounded by family. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; she will always be remembered for her unconditional love, kindness, generous and gentle spirit. She was always ready and willing to help those in trouble. It was her heart's desire to do what she could to help Jesus Christ fulfill this promise from Isaiah: “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1b NIV) 

Born February 11, 1950, to John & Ruth Leese in Portland, OR. Barbara and her brother Ron were raised in the house her father built in Northeast Portland. As a child she participated in campfire girls, several dance classes, her high school marching band and Junior Achievement. Barbara graduated from Grant High School in 1968. While at Concordia college her freshman year she met Harry at St. Michaels Lutheran church, and they were married there on June 15, 1969. 

Barbara enjoyed very much being home raising her 4 children. Once they were all in private school Barbara took a job as office manager at a Presbyterian Church in West Linn, OR.  Fourteen years later she “retired” from that job and began working part-time at her own church, Portland Foursquare Church. There she did various jobs including helping with Stephen Ministry. 

Barbara enjoyed knitting Christmas stockings and making a cross-stitch for the birth of each grandchild. Her favorite pastime was spending time with family and tending to the flowers in the yard. 

In September of 2020, Harry & Barbara relocated to Emmett, Idaho.  

A special thank you to the Horizon Hospice team for the wonderful & caring help they gave to both Barbara & Harry these last 6 months. 

Barbara is survived by her husband, Harry; daughters Dawn Meuser and Paula Brister; 9 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, John & Ruth Leese; her brother, Ron; son, Sam; daughter, Renee; and grandson, John Caleb. 

Barbara is interred at Riverview Abbey Funeral Home, Portland, OR. 

A memorial service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held at 2 pm on February 15, 2025, at Connection Church, 405 Warner Parrot Road in Oregon City.  All are welcome. 

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