Barbara Gourley

Napa native Barbara Gene Gourley passed away peacefully with family members at her side on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at Queen of the Valley hospital. Born June 11, 1927, to William and Sarah Cooley James, she attended local schools, graduating from Napa High School in 1945. In 1948 while working as an usherette at a local movie theater she met Osmer "Hap" Gourley, whom she married later that year.

For many years she was employed as the medical secretary for doctors Northam and Sward, not only capably doing her job and warmly receiving patients, but providing advice and nurturing when she thought it was needed.

In addition to raising a family of loving, independent children she took an active role in community affairs. She was a member of the Napa County and Solano County genealogical societies, the Napa Valley Retired Fire Fighters Association, the Napa Valley Museum, Welcome Grange, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Pocahontas, and had lovingly and patiently served as a Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Bluebird leader, a Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls and as a member of the Napa High School Class Reunion Committee. She was affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Napa, had enjoyed crafts work and after her husband retired from the Napa Fire Department, they had enjoyed taking many trips in their motor home.

She will be remembered for many things, among them her quiet strength, her love of family, her staunch patriotism and her love of the Napa Valley.

Her survivors include her children: Linda Gourley-Crow, (deceased spouse Mike Crow), Randy Gourley (DeeDee), Debbie Hassenplug (Dwayne Hassenplug); her grandchildren, Michael P. Walls (Tiffany), Jacob Crow, Jesse Crow, Tommy Butler, Sarah Beth Butler, Randy S. Gourley, Dwayne Hassenplug, Jr. and Kimberly Saunders (Bruce); great-grandchildren Loren and Jaci Crow, Tyler and Makenna Walls, Sam Saunders and Drew and Kylie Hassenplug. She is also survived by her beloved aunts, Marian Mannering and Ruth Munk.

Please join the family in a celebration of her life on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 2840 Soscol Ave., Napa, with the Rev. Erwin E. Bollinger, pastor emeritus of Napa's First Presbyterian Church officiating. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2069, Napa, CA 94558; the Lung Association of the Redwood Empire, P.O. Box 1746, Santa Rosa, CA 95402; the Fireman's Museum, 1201 Main St., Napa, CA 94559; or to the Napa Valley Genealogical Society, 1701 Menlo Ave., Napa, CA 94558.

Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel served the family of Mrs. Gourley. Inurnment was private in Tulocay Cemetery's Urn Garden.