Barbara was one of my best friends in high school. The last time I saw her was at the 10th reunion. She was a beautiful person, both physically and spiritually. She had an independent spirit that I loved and admired. I think of her often and miss her a lot.
Barbara was a very dear friend. I knew her since we were in Elementary school together at St. Ann's. We were also in Troop 149 together through Cadettes. Barbara organized picnics in the A Street Park. (We rode our bikes of course!) She was a friend to all - so warm and kind. We both rode our bikes to MHS as did Valerie Smith, and we'd hang out in the afternoons together harassing Mr Estes for our Algebra grades or chatting with Mr Carrasco the counselor. Barbara even threw me a surprise birthday party one year (c 1969)! We roomed together one year at A&M, then we both married good Catholic Aggie men after junior year. She and I stayed in touch sporadically, but saw each other a few times over the years even after she and husband Mike Barta moved out to Fresno, CA with their two children: Ben and Mary Grace. In June of 2000 Barb finally died of complications with her kidneys after having struggled with a congenital kidney condition since adolescence. Her parents were German immigrants and I remember all of them fondly. When you called the house you unfailingly had one of them answer with, "Goebel residence. N. speaking." Lastly, I'll say Barbara was a first class Girl Scout who, near the end of high school, even traveled to Europe in a leadership role. She was such a bright light and one of the dearest friends I'll ever have. She always called me "Annie".
Y'all have inspired me to write something about Barbara. I only moved back to Midland (I was born in Midland but we moved away when I was 4) in 9th grade so I don't have memories that go back as far as others. I met Barbara pretty early in 9th grade and she was always so friendly and made me feel welcome. We were excited to both be headed to Texas A&M and immediately began doing things together. She started dating Mike Barta when he and I were both in Singing Cadets Mike had been in Singing Cadets longer than me and was generous with his advice and experience, at one point even being considered for the director position upon the retirement of the director of 40 years or so I missed them so much when they moved to California and always looked forward to Singing Cadet reunions when I could see them I never knew about Barbara's health problems until it was threatening her life and I was a physician Mike had lots of questions and advice to share about dealing with chronic illness Barbara was, indeed, special!
Valerie Smith (Maurer)
Barbara was one of my best friends in high school. The last time I saw her was at the 10th reunion. She was a beautiful person, both physically and spiritually. She had an independent spirit that I loved and admired. I think of her often and miss her a lot.Kelly Coleman
Barbara was my lived down the block from me on Stanolind when we were in high school. She had a great disposition as I recall.Ann(ie) Landwermeyer (Spade)
Barbara was a very dear friend. I knew her since we were in Elementary school together at St. Ann's. We were also in Troop 149 together through Cadettes. Barbara organized picnics in the A Street Park. (We rode our bikes of course!) She was a friend to all - so warm and kind. We both rode our bikes to MHS as did Valerie Smith, and we'd hang out in the afternoons together harassing Mr Estes for our Algebra grades or chatting with Mr Carrasco the counselor. Barbara even threw me a surprise birthday party one year (c 1969)! We roomed together one year at A&M, then we both married good Catholic Aggie men after junior year. She and I stayed in touch sporadically, but saw each other a few times over the years even after she and husband Mike Barta moved out to Fresno, CA with their two children: Ben and Mary Grace. In June of 2000 Barb finally died of complications with her kidneys after having struggled with a congenital kidney condition since adolescence. Her parents were German immigrants and I remember all of them fondly. When you called the house you unfailingly had one of them answer with, "Goebel residence. N. speaking." Lastly, I'll say Barbara was a first class Girl Scout who, near the end of high school, even traveled to Europe in a leadership role. She was such a bright light and one of the dearest friends I'll ever have. She always called me "Annie".
Barry Moak
Y'all have inspired me to write something about Barbara. I only moved back to Midland (I was born in Midland but we moved away when I was 4) in 9th grade so I don't have memories that go back as far as others. I met Barbara pretty early in 9th grade and she was always so friendly and made me feel welcome. We were excited to both be headed to Texas A&M and immediately began doing things together. She started dating Mike Barta when he and I were both in Singing Cadets Mike had been in Singing Cadets longer than me and was generous with his advice and experience, at one point even being considered for the director position upon the retirement of the director of 40 years or so I missed them so much when they moved to California and always looked forward to Singing Cadet reunions when I could see them I never knew about Barbara's health problems until it was threatening her life and I was a physician Mike had lots of questions and advice to share about dealing with chronic illness Barbara was, indeed, special!